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Sweetheart, Montana #1
Long Lost Christmas
With Christmas and a family showdown looming, can she find a miracle?
Hoping to reunite her mother with her long-lost brother for Christmas, interior designer Hayley Stevens travels to Montana to hand-deliver a Christmas card to the uncle she’s never met. Finding her uncle is easier than getting him alone to explain her mission. Reluctantly, Hayley hides her identity to learn more about her uncle and his family, but it’s his handsome and enigmatic partner who captures her heart and imagination.
Architect and builder Blake Dennison is attracted instantly to the beautiful Hayley, but he’s suspicious of her curiosity. Can she be a spy for a rival builder? He’s been burned by deceit before, but as he spends time with Hayley, he falls hard.
Hayley knows she has much more at stake than fulfilling her mother’s Christmas dream, and when she confesses to Blake the real reason for her visit, his reaction is what she feared. He wants her gone. But Hayley knows how to fight for what she wants.
Another heart-warming story set in Sweetheart, Montana, home to The Starr Brothers of Montana series.
Hoping to reunite her mother with her long-lost brother for Christmas, interior designer Hayley Stevens travels to Montana to hand-deliver a Christmas card to the uncle she’s never met. Finding her uncle is easier than getting him alone to explain her mission. Reluctantly, Hayley hides her identity to learn more about her uncle and his family, but it’s his handsome and enigmatic partner who captures her heart and imagination.
Architect and builder Blake Dennison is attracted instantly to the beautiful Hayley, but he’s suspicious of her curiosity. Can she be a spy for a rival builder? He’s been burned by deceit before, but as he spends time with Hayley, he falls hard.
Hayley knows she has much more at stake than fulfilling her mother’s Christmas dream, and when she confesses to Blake the real reason for her visit, his reaction is what she feared. He wants her gone. But Hayley knows how to fight for what she wants.
Another heart-warming story set in Sweetheart, Montana, home to The Starr Brothers of Montana series.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 12, 2019
627 people are currently reading
511 people want to read
About the author
Joan Kilby
66 books101 followersJoan Kilby is the award-winning author of thirty contemporary romance novels. Originally from Canada, Joan studied to be a marine biologist and worked for many years in the field of environmental biology. In mid-life she returned to her first love--writing--and never looked back. These days Joan lives in Melbourne, Australia with her husband and three children. She loves to cook and grows her own herbs, fruit and vegetables. Other interests include hiking, yoga and travel. She once spent six months sailing the South Pacific on a fifty-five foot sailboat built and skippered by her father. Joan belongs to Toastmasters International and is an accomplished speaker--teaching romance writing and giving talks to community organizations. When she’s not working on her latest book she can often be found in a sidewalk café, sipping a latte and indulging in her favorite occupation--people watching.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
December 28, 2022
Honestly I should rate this a four star. It’s not a bad book. Plots like these just aren’t good for my anxiety! The whole plot of this book centers around a Lie-with good intentions behind it but you as the reader and the main character are harboring it literally up until like after the 70% mark and it just made me a little crazy because while I get the Why behind the Lie, I just don’t think withholding it for so long was the best choice. At some point I was irritated because I felt like I was going along with the lie too!
December 2, 2019
I've recently read a lot of Christmas romances and have enjoyed them all. This book especially was delightful. I loved all the characters, the premise and the fact the story took place over the Christmas holidays. In addition, I loved the family dynamic, the scene and small-town loyalty. This book also had all the feels I look for in a perfect romance. Written with care and attention to detail, this book will warm your heart.
Hayley and Blake.....
Hayley is on a mission to find her mother's long-lost brother. Hayley's mother hasn't seen her brother since she was a child. He left town, never to return. No one knows why or where he is after four decades. So much time apart! Heartbreaking! Hayley does some research and finds a man in Montana that could be him. So, she goes there to find him and hopefully gain a reunion for her mother. I am not going into details because there is a bit of mystery and suspense that unravels over the course of the book.
Blake is an architect who works for Hayley's uncle with the hopes to one day take over the business. Blake has trust issues caused by a previous relationship. So even though his first reaction to Hayley is attraction, he won’t let his walls down; afraid to be hurt again.
Again, I won’t go into details but I can tell you that there’s some angst and secrets that could destroy what Hayley and Blake are building. But I do promise you a beautiful happily-ever-after.
This is my honest and unbiased review. Thank you for taking the time to read it.
Hayley and Blake.....
Hayley is on a mission to find her mother's long-lost brother. Hayley's mother hasn't seen her brother since she was a child. He left town, never to return. No one knows why or where he is after four decades. So much time apart! Heartbreaking! Hayley does some research and finds a man in Montana that could be him. So, she goes there to find him and hopefully gain a reunion for her mother. I am not going into details because there is a bit of mystery and suspense that unravels over the course of the book.
Blake is an architect who works for Hayley's uncle with the hopes to one day take over the business. Blake has trust issues caused by a previous relationship. So even though his first reaction to Hayley is attraction, he won’t let his walls down; afraid to be hurt again.
Again, I won’t go into details but I can tell you that there’s some angst and secrets that could destroy what Hayley and Blake are building. But I do promise you a beautiful happily-ever-after.
This is my honest and unbiased review. Thank you for taking the time to read it.
November 22, 2019
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
LONG LOST CHRISTMAS is an emotional tale that had me sighing with emotion and shaking my head at the half-truths and outright lies being told for the “better good, eventually”. When a family member is estranged or “long lost” there is usually a very good reason on someone’s part for that to have happened in the first place. Hayley may have had the best of intentions in tracking down her Uncle Gordon but in doing so she’s opened up a hornet’s nest of reactions – not all of them good by any means.
The spark between Blake and Hayley is obvious from the start, but so is the cloud of untruths hanging over Hayley’s head as well. Blake has been burned badly in his recent past and his suspicions are on high alert with Hayley in spite of his attraction to her. She’ll quickly come to realize that she should have handled all of this quite differently as the people she meets, the extended family she’s discovered become more important to her. Now she has to confess her true reasons for being in Sweetheart, Montana and that will change everything. The battle will be proving herself worthy to not only Blake, Gordon, and the family but to herself as well. Watching Hayley fight for the life she wants in this small town with Blake is, at times, heartwrenching but she is one determined lady who will not give up on a future with the man she loves, and who believes loves her right back even though he’s very angry and disappointed with her right now.
I enjoyed myself with LONG LOST CHRISTMAS. I’m always, personally, uncomfortable with the “lie for the better good” trope but it was handled well and not drawn out unreasonably long. The fun part was watching Hayley show everyone what she’s really made of despite her mistakes in the beginning. If you’ve spent time in Sweetheart, Montana, perhaps with the Starr Brothers then you’ll enjoy this return trip to a charming, quirky small town full of interesting residents. I had fun, and really, that’s the whole point. I’d not hesitate to recommend this story to any Romance reader.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Tule Publishing. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
LONG LOST CHRISTMAS is an emotional tale that had me sighing with emotion and shaking my head at the half-truths and outright lies being told for the “better good, eventually”. When a family member is estranged or “long lost” there is usually a very good reason on someone’s part for that to have happened in the first place. Hayley may have had the best of intentions in tracking down her Uncle Gordon but in doing so she’s opened up a hornet’s nest of reactions – not all of them good by any means.
The spark between Blake and Hayley is obvious from the start, but so is the cloud of untruths hanging over Hayley’s head as well. Blake has been burned badly in his recent past and his suspicions are on high alert with Hayley in spite of his attraction to her. She’ll quickly come to realize that she should have handled all of this quite differently as the people she meets, the extended family she’s discovered become more important to her. Now she has to confess her true reasons for being in Sweetheart, Montana and that will change everything. The battle will be proving herself worthy to not only Blake, Gordon, and the family but to herself as well. Watching Hayley fight for the life she wants in this small town with Blake is, at times, heartwrenching but she is one determined lady who will not give up on a future with the man she loves, and who believes loves her right back even though he’s very angry and disappointed with her right now.
I enjoyed myself with LONG LOST CHRISTMAS. I’m always, personally, uncomfortable with the “lie for the better good” trope but it was handled well and not drawn out unreasonably long. The fun part was watching Hayley show everyone what she’s really made of despite her mistakes in the beginning. If you’ve spent time in Sweetheart, Montana, perhaps with the Starr Brothers then you’ll enjoy this return trip to a charming, quirky small town full of interesting residents. I had fun, and really, that’s the whole point. I’d not hesitate to recommend this story to any Romance reader.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Tule Publishing. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
December 20, 2025
3.5 stars. I looked for this book after watching the movie version of it. Nice story and easy to see why Hallmark picked it.
December 25, 2021
A heartwarming and emotional tale of learning to trust and look beyond the obvious.
December 15, 2022
Family, romance, and Christmas
This is a sweet holiday romance with lots of love, love of family as well as romantic love. The story is a good reminder for us not to let circumstances and busy lives separate families.
This is a sweet holiday romance with lots of love, love of family as well as romantic love. The story is a good reminder for us not to let circumstances and busy lives separate families.
January 1, 2024
last book club read of the year! This was sweet, cute and cozy. The love interest fell a little flat for me but otherwise this book was enjoyable.
December 10, 2024
i can see why its a hallmark movie
November 12, 2019
Long Lost Christmas by Joan Kilby
With Christmas and a family showdown looming, can she find a miracle?
Hoping to reunite her mother with her long-lost brother for Christmas, Interior designer Hayley Stevens travels to Montana to hand-deliver a Christmas card to the uncle she’s never met. Finding her uncle is easier than getting him alone to explain her mission. Reluctantly Hayley hides her identity to learn more her uncle and his family, but it’s his handsome and enigmatic partner who captures her heart and imagination.
Architect and builder Blake Dennison is attracted instantly to the beautiful Hayley, but he’s is suspicious of her curiosity. Can she be a spy for a rival builder? He’s been burned by deceit before, but as he spends time with Hayley, he falls hard.
Hayley knows she has much more at stake than fulfilling her mother’s Christmas dream, and when she confesses to Blake the real reason for her visit, his reaction is what she feared. He wants her gone. But Hayley knows how to fight for what she wants.
This is Hayley Stevens and Blake Dennison's story.
Hayley set down the box and stepped back to eye the tree critically. “Does it look off-center?”
“It’s perfect,” Joyce said, glancing up.
“Yo, sis,” Brad said when he picked up. “I tried to call Mom a while ago, but it went straight to voice mail.
Blake Dennison stamped the snow off his boots and entered the reception area of Sweetheart Log Homes Limited. Rebel, his black flat-coated retriever, trotted at his heels.
“Hey, Brianna,” Blake greeted his boss’s daughter, who was hanging another Christmas card on the string tacked to the wall behind her desk.
He shrugged out of his sheepskin jacket and draped it over the coat stand next to thes tandnext to the door.
Long Lost Christmas by Joan Kilby is a 4 star book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Joan's Books with Tule:
The Secret Son
Starrs of Sweetheart, Montana
The Starr Brothers of Montana
A Baby for Christmas
The Starr Brothers of Montana
The Bull Rider’s Return
The 79th Copper Mountain Rodeo
The Starr Brothers of Montana
Long Lost Christmas
With Christmas and a family showdown looming, can she find a miracle?
Hoping to reunite her mother with her long-lost brother for Christmas, Interior designer Hayley Stevens travels to Montana to hand-deliver a Christmas card to the uncle she’s never met. Finding her uncle is easier than getting him alone to explain her mission. Reluctantly Hayley hides her identity to learn more her uncle and his family, but it’s his handsome and enigmatic partner who captures her heart and imagination.
Architect and builder Blake Dennison is attracted instantly to the beautiful Hayley, but he’s is suspicious of her curiosity. Can she be a spy for a rival builder? He’s been burned by deceit before, but as he spends time with Hayley, he falls hard.
Hayley knows she has much more at stake than fulfilling her mother’s Christmas dream, and when she confesses to Blake the real reason for her visit, his reaction is what she feared. He wants her gone. But Hayley knows how to fight for what she wants.
This is Hayley Stevens and Blake Dennison's story.
Hayley set down the box and stepped back to eye the tree critically. “Does it look off-center?”
“It’s perfect,” Joyce said, glancing up.
“Yo, sis,” Brad said when he picked up. “I tried to call Mom a while ago, but it went straight to voice mail.
Blake Dennison stamped the snow off his boots and entered the reception area of Sweetheart Log Homes Limited. Rebel, his black flat-coated retriever, trotted at his heels.
“Hey, Brianna,” Blake greeted his boss’s daughter, who was hanging another Christmas card on the string tacked to the wall behind her desk.
He shrugged out of his sheepskin jacket and draped it over the coat stand next to thes tandnext to the door.
Long Lost Christmas by Joan Kilby is a 4 star book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Joan's Books with Tule:
The Secret Son
Starrs of Sweetheart, Montana
The Starr Brothers of Montana
A Baby for Christmas
The Starr Brothers of Montana
The Bull Rider’s Return
The 79th Copper Mountain Rodeo
The Starr Brothers of Montana
Long Lost Christmas
November 3, 2019
I received this arc in exchange for an honest review. This was a very enjoyable read. In this book, Hayley wants to reunite her mother with her long lost brother. She learns he is living in Sweetheart Montana and concocts a plan to find him before Christmas to surprise her mother. Hayley and her mother live in California. She finds his business, a log homes builder. She is an interior designer and uses the excuse that she is looking at log cabins for her client. She meets her uncle, Gordon and his partner Blake. She decides not to tell them who she really is and has them show her thei homes, she meets Gordon’s wife and daughter. She and Blake experience some chemistry but wants to tell her uncle first who she is. Her uncle acts funny and then angry about his long lost sister so she doesn’t know how to bring her mother up.
Gordon has to go out of town so she decides to stay longer until she can explain things to Gordon. Blake becomes very suspicious of her real reason for being there as another builder is trying to buy the business. He thinks she is a spy for the other builder. In the meantime she offers to decorate a model home for them, along with her cousin, who doesn’t know yet who she is. Blake had been engaged to another woman who duped him and she’s afraid he will see this as a betrayal.
It was all very exciting, trying to see when Hayley would tell Gordon and his family as well as Blake who she is. I enjoyed the romance and suspense. The family ties were all very inspiring. I highly recommend this book.
Gordon has to go out of town so she decides to stay longer until she can explain things to Gordon. Blake becomes very suspicious of her real reason for being there as another builder is trying to buy the business. He thinks she is a spy for the other builder. In the meantime she offers to decorate a model home for them, along with her cousin, who doesn’t know yet who she is. Blake had been engaged to another woman who duped him and she’s afraid he will see this as a betrayal.
It was all very exciting, trying to see when Hayley would tell Gordon and his family as well as Blake who she is. I enjoyed the romance and suspense. The family ties were all very inspiring. I highly recommend this book.
December 20, 2019
Set in Sweetheart, Montana, this sweet Christmas story is all about family, loyalty and trust. The story is written in Joan Kilby’s trademark sweet and endearing manner and it hooked me from the start.
I loved Hayley Stevens, the heroine in this story, and a woman who clearly cares very much for her mother. There were times when I wished she’d just come clean and revel her identity, but i could understand her reasons and while her actions might have led to some misunderstandings along the way, I admired her guts in pursuing a path which she firmly believed would lead to her mother’s happiness.
Blake Dennison struck me as strong, loyal and caring from the moment he appeared on the page. it was hard not to fall in love with him and as the story progressed my respect for him increased. He is just the sort of man you know you can depend on in a storm and I loved the way he protected Hayley’s uncle.
This story is beautifully paced and kept me turning the pages right to the end. I found myself utterly engrossed and was sorry when the last page finally came along.
I loved Hayley Stevens, the heroine in this story, and a woman who clearly cares very much for her mother. There were times when I wished she’d just come clean and revel her identity, but i could understand her reasons and while her actions might have led to some misunderstandings along the way, I admired her guts in pursuing a path which she firmly believed would lead to her mother’s happiness.
Blake Dennison struck me as strong, loyal and caring from the moment he appeared on the page. it was hard not to fall in love with him and as the story progressed my respect for him increased. He is just the sort of man you know you can depend on in a storm and I loved the way he protected Hayley’s uncle.
This story is beautifully paced and kept me turning the pages right to the end. I found myself utterly engrossed and was sorry when the last page finally came along.
November 13, 2019
In Long Lost Christmas by Joan Kilby the small town of Sweetheart, Montana makes a contrasting background to the actions of the main female lead, Hayley Stevens. While her intentions may have been for good her delivers and execution of those intentions is full of half truths and down right lies. She is not such a sweetheart after all.
I struggle with enjoying books where the characters resort to backhanded actions to achieve their goals. While I liked Hayley I wish she had gone about thing differently. Blake Dennison, an honest but suspicious kind of guy, becomes her love interest. Easy to see where the problems will be. The uncle is part of the problem too. Messy relationships, just like life. Perhaps we can blame it all on the uncle, then enjoy the romance between Haley and Blake.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I struggle with enjoying books where the characters resort to backhanded actions to achieve their goals. While I liked Hayley I wish she had gone about thing differently. Blake Dennison, an honest but suspicious kind of guy, becomes her love interest. Easy to see where the problems will be. The uncle is part of the problem too. Messy relationships, just like life. Perhaps we can blame it all on the uncle, then enjoy the romance between Haley and Blake.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 15, 2019
Harley was decorating the Christmas tree while her Mom (Joyce) was doing Christmas cards. They started talking about Joyce's long lost brother and how she lost touch with him so many years ago. Harley could tell that her Mom really missed Gordon and after 40 years Harley thought it was time to see if she could help reunite them.
She had her Mom make a card out to her brother Gordon and then Harley went in search of him. She looked him up on the internet and found out that he had a business selling log homes. While Harley pretended that she had a client that was interested in getting a log home she met Gordon and she also met Blake. She also found out that she really wasn't a big city girl she could actually settle down in a place like Sweetheart Montana.
I really enjoyed this book and now I need a log home in Sweetheart Montana where everyone truly appears to care about everyone else.
She had her Mom make a card out to her brother Gordon and then Harley went in search of him. She looked him up on the internet and found out that he had a business selling log homes. While Harley pretended that she had a client that was interested in getting a log home she met Gordon and she also met Blake. She also found out that she really wasn't a big city girl she could actually settle down in a place like Sweetheart Montana.
I really enjoyed this book and now I need a log home in Sweetheart Montana where everyone truly appears to care about everyone else.
November 2, 2019
I found the story sweet. It was like a Christmas miracle come true. Or maybe more than one Christmas miracle. Hayley goes to Montana where she finds and secretly meets her long lost uncle and his family. Ends up spending time with a super nice guy named Blake who worked for her uncle and was a friend of his family. Hayley and Blake have an instant attraction and just click. He senses there's more to her story than what's she is telling and she worries what will happen once her lie on why she's there comes out. The more time they spend together Hayley wishes she had told the truth to being with. Can she make her mom's dream come true? Will Hayley and Blake get a relationship chance? A sweet heartwarming Christmas story that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from Tule Publishing.
November 9, 2019
Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review
A story about love and family, “Long Lost Christmas”, by Joan Kilby (Tule Publishing), features an emotionally vulnerable hero and a heroine who has to resort to deceit in order to complete a family mission.
Entangled in a web of lies, half truths and falsehood, the heroine, Hayley, falls for the honorable, loyal hero, Blake, testing his fragile trust after a hurtful breakup, while trying to navigate an old family estrangement.
A small town setting in Sweetheart, Montana, warm feelings of hospitality and a strong sense of family bonds provide the backdrop to this sweet story whose short time span occurs during the Christmas season and has a realistic insight into log home construction and house decoration.
A story about love and family, “Long Lost Christmas”, by Joan Kilby (Tule Publishing), features an emotionally vulnerable hero and a heroine who has to resort to deceit in order to complete a family mission.
Entangled in a web of lies, half truths and falsehood, the heroine, Hayley, falls for the honorable, loyal hero, Blake, testing his fragile trust after a hurtful breakup, while trying to navigate an old family estrangement.
A small town setting in Sweetheart, Montana, warm feelings of hospitality and a strong sense of family bonds provide the backdrop to this sweet story whose short time span occurs during the Christmas season and has a realistic insight into log home construction and house decoration.
November 12, 2019
This is a sweet Christmas romance that is perfect for the festive season
Hayley has come to Montana to deliver a card from her mother to her mother's estranged brother she connect with the family easily but has trouble getting her uncle aside to explain her mission so she keeps it a secret Meanwhile she has met and had an instant attraction to her uncles business partner Blake Dennison he is attracted as well but he is also suspicious he knows that Hayley is hiding something and he assumes it is business related. Can she succeed in reuniting her mother and uncle will Blake forgive her and does she have a future with him You will have to read to see
Hayley has come to Montana to deliver a card from her mother to her mother's estranged brother she connect with the family easily but has trouble getting her uncle aside to explain her mission so she keeps it a secret Meanwhile she has met and had an instant attraction to her uncles business partner Blake Dennison he is attracted as well but he is also suspicious he knows that Hayley is hiding something and he assumes it is business related. Can she succeed in reuniting her mother and uncle will Blake forgive her and does she have a future with him You will have to read to see
November 11, 2019
This is such a sweet Christmas story. Hayley is trying to find her estranged uncle. When she finds him she starts off with a lie so she can find out what he is really like. This in turns has her meeting and spending time with Blake. They have a connection but what happens when he finds out about the lie she told. Will he be able to forgive her? This is such a warm and romantic Christmas story. I really enjoyed it from start to finish. I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 30, 2019
The story of Hayley and Blake, family, love and christmas.
She is in town to find her Mum's estranged brother. She starts off with a lie, to get close to her Uncle and see what he is really like. This causes her to spend time with Blake - she is falling for him but the time they have spent together is built on a lie, and will he forgive her when he finds out the truth.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a voluntary and honest reivew.
She is in town to find her Mum's estranged brother. She starts off with a lie, to get close to her Uncle and see what he is really like. This causes her to spend time with Blake - she is falling for him but the time they have spent together is built on a lie, and will he forgive her when he finds out the truth.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a voluntary and honest reivew.
November 22, 2019
Just in time for the holiday season Miss Kilby writes this lovely story . Hayley is trying to unite her Mom with her long lost brother. Problem is there were reasons why they are estranged. Not to make him aware she doesn't tell him about their being related and the lie is set. She meets Blake and their feelings are mutual and the more time they spend together the more she worries if he will forgive her when he finds out she lied. A lovely sweet Christmas story.
December 30, 2019
Joan Kilby's Long Lost Christmas hit the spot for a Christmas romance to read on a cold winter day. I was immediately taken with Hayley and Blake and couldn't help wonder how the lies and deception would play out.
Long Lost Christmas has all the feels for the holidays with family, an estrangement, and budding romance. I need to check if there are other holiday romances written by Joan Kilby.
Long Lost Christmas has all the feels for the holidays with family, an estrangement, and budding romance. I need to check if there are other holiday romances written by Joan Kilby.
November 12, 2019
I voluntarily read a advanced reader’s copy of this book for a honest opinion.
Long Lost Christmas by Joan Kilby.
A sweet heart-warming story of family, new friends and possible romance.
A great book to read to get you in the holiday spirit.
Long Lost Christmas by Joan Kilby.
A sweet heart-warming story of family, new friends and possible romance.
A great book to read to get you in the holiday spirit.
November 12, 2019
A refreshingly clean and endearing romance. The story portrays a slow building of love even with its accompanying doubts and misgivings.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 3, 2020
3.5☆
Enjoyed it
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Sweetheart, Montana
Standalone
HEA
I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from Tule Publishing.
Enjoyed it
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Sweetheart, Montana
Standalone
HEA
I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from Tule Publishing.
November 9, 2019
Wonderful Christmas read!
November 12, 2019
Very enjoyable read,I read it last night while it snowed here in Michigan snuggled under my Michigan blanket with a cup of cocoa .Loved Hayley and Blake's storyline.
November 28, 2019
Sweet Christmas Romance in a lovely town called Sweetheart that you just simply fall in love with. I loved the fact that it was well researched in regards to the log cabin business.
December 12, 2025
Long Lost Christmas is the first book in the Sweetheart, Montana series by Joan Kirby. Hayley Stevens has a Christmas mission: to reunite her mother with her long lost brother. On a whim, she decides to head to Sweetheart, Montana to her uncle’s last known address and hand deliver a Christmas card. When she arrives, she finds her uncle fairly easily, but getting him alone is another matter. Hayley decides to keep her true identity and reason for being in town a secret at first. Someone else has caught her attention. Blake Dennison works for her uncle as an architect and builder. Blake is immediately drawn to Hayley but he is also suspicious of her interest in his boss. Hayley knows that once she reveals her true reason for being in town may result in rejection; however, she is determined to fight in order to give her mom closure or maybe even a Christmas miracle?
Long Lost Christmas is a sweet, fun, fast paced read with plenty of emotions and heartfelt moments. I loved the Christmas background to a possible family reunion and a love story on top of it. I enjoyed Hayley and Blake’s characters both flawed with their flawed pasts but still found hope in the future. I understood Hayley not explaining who she was when she immediately got into town; however, with each passing day, it made telling the truth harder to tell. Blake had his reasons to be suspicious which added to the conflict. My only disappointment is the reason why the uncle stopped contact with Hayley’s mom. It made sense for the time; however, it felt a bit anti-climatic. The romance between Hayley and Blake was clean but sweet. Overall, I enjoyed this story. I enjoyed the resolution and I am looking forward to the rest of the series. I highly recommend Long Lost Christmas.
Long Lost Christmas is available in paperback and eBook
Long Lost Christmas is a sweet, fun, fast paced read with plenty of emotions and heartfelt moments. I loved the Christmas background to a possible family reunion and a love story on top of it. I enjoyed Hayley and Blake’s characters both flawed with their flawed pasts but still found hope in the future. I understood Hayley not explaining who she was when she immediately got into town; however, with each passing day, it made telling the truth harder to tell. Blake had his reasons to be suspicious which added to the conflict. My only disappointment is the reason why the uncle stopped contact with Hayley’s mom. It made sense for the time; however, it felt a bit anti-climatic. The romance between Hayley and Blake was clean but sweet. Overall, I enjoyed this story. I enjoyed the resolution and I am looking forward to the rest of the series. I highly recommend Long Lost Christmas.
Long Lost Christmas is available in paperback and eBook
March 11, 2024
I recently had the absolute joy to read Joan Kilby’s Long Lost Christmas, book #1 in her Sweetheart, Montana series. This is a wonderful story that has been made into a Hallmark movie.
Hayley Stevens is trying desperately to provide a solid family-oriented holiday for her mother Joyce. This is their first Christmas since Hayley’s father passed. Brad, her brother promised to be there, but his job requires that he travel to southeast Asia for disaster relief. Joyce mentions to Hayley that she lost contact with her only brother, her only family, forty-seven years prior. An idea is born! Joyce may not be a computer person, but Hayley is. She encourages her mother to write a letter to her brother and Hayley will find his mailing address.
The idea continues to grow! Hayley decides to drive to Montana, meet her Uncle Gordon, and hand deliver her mother’s letter. Hayley wishes to assess what type of man her uncle is before delivering the letter. To accomplish this she concocts a fake ID and story. However, she did not plan on meeting her almost identical cousin Brianna, and Blake Dennison, her uncle’s right-hand man and possibly the love of her life. Some quick juggling and borderline chaos ensues.
Will Joyce and Gordon reconcile? Will their individual family members unite? Will Hayley and Brianna become thick as thieves? Will Hayley and Blake declare their love? Will Hayley move from San Diego to Sweetheart? Will Joyce move too? This story is a wonderfully fun tale to read. I loved it from the first word. Like Joyce and Gordon not communicating it had been too long since I read a Joan Kilby story. I’ve already begun my next Joan Kilby book! This story: 5 STARS!
Hayley Stevens is trying desperately to provide a solid family-oriented holiday for her mother Joyce. This is their first Christmas since Hayley’s father passed. Brad, her brother promised to be there, but his job requires that he travel to southeast Asia for disaster relief. Joyce mentions to Hayley that she lost contact with her only brother, her only family, forty-seven years prior. An idea is born! Joyce may not be a computer person, but Hayley is. She encourages her mother to write a letter to her brother and Hayley will find his mailing address.
The idea continues to grow! Hayley decides to drive to Montana, meet her Uncle Gordon, and hand deliver her mother’s letter. Hayley wishes to assess what type of man her uncle is before delivering the letter. To accomplish this she concocts a fake ID and story. However, she did not plan on meeting her almost identical cousin Brianna, and Blake Dennison, her uncle’s right-hand man and possibly the love of her life. Some quick juggling and borderline chaos ensues.
Will Joyce and Gordon reconcile? Will their individual family members unite? Will Hayley and Brianna become thick as thieves? Will Hayley and Blake declare their love? Will Hayley move from San Diego to Sweetheart? Will Joyce move too? This story is a wonderfully fun tale to read. I loved it from the first word. Like Joyce and Gordon not communicating it had been too long since I read a Joan Kilby story. I’ve already begun my next Joan Kilby book! This story: 5 STARS!
November 25, 2024
Long Lost Christmas by Joan Kilby
In this story we find Hayley and she's with her mother getting the house decorated for the Christmas holiday. Her brother Brad leaves to help the Doctors over Borders and hopes to be back in time for the big day.
Hayley has her mom make out a card to her brother, who she's never met, she knows there is a good explanation as to why they haven't talked in 40 years. She takes that card with her to where she hopes to find her uncle Gordon. She also has a disguise of being an interior decorator with hopes of learning more about log cabin houses for a client. It's all made up but she knows her job.
She meets the right hand man Blake and is taken with him. Love the family and those related to The very openness of the community.
Things get messy when Blake and others don't think Hayley is true and they ar enot so trusting...
There are so many twists and turns and with the upheaval you wonder who will have a holiday at all. Also Gordon is on the verge of selling the company....
Love learning about the differences of log cabins and why...
Would love to read more form this author. very descriptive details, I felt as if I was right there with them.
In this story we find Hayley and she's with her mother getting the house decorated for the Christmas holiday. Her brother Brad leaves to help the Doctors over Borders and hopes to be back in time for the big day.
Hayley has her mom make out a card to her brother, who she's never met, she knows there is a good explanation as to why they haven't talked in 40 years. She takes that card with her to where she hopes to find her uncle Gordon. She also has a disguise of being an interior decorator with hopes of learning more about log cabin houses for a client. It's all made up but she knows her job.
She meets the right hand man Blake and is taken with him. Love the family and those related to The very openness of the community.
Things get messy when Blake and others don't think Hayley is true and they ar enot so trusting...
There are so many twists and turns and with the upheaval you wonder who will have a holiday at all. Also Gordon is on the verge of selling the company....
Love learning about the differences of log cabins and why...
Would love to read more form this author. very descriptive details, I felt as if I was right there with them.
November 19, 2020
As I read this book I kept picturing it as a movie and how wonderful it would be. Hayley Stevens has grown up always hearing about her uncle Garrett but never knowing him. Her mom and her uncle Garrett were separated because they were in foster care and when you age out well we know what happens sadly. Hayley's mom tried to stay in touch but life or fate got in the way. This year is the first year without her dad and Hayley decides to search for her mom's brother and hand-deliver a Christmas card to him. She has to travel from Cali to Sweetheart, Montana in early December on the sly from her mom to do so, but she is determined to do it.
Once in Sweetheart, just meeting...well that did not go as planned and one little white lie leads to another and things get out of hand. Blake Dennison is Garrett's right-hand man at the Log Cabin building company and sparks fly as soon as Hayley and Blake see each other. BUT there is also some caution as he has a good sense of things.
I love this book and the story it tells us. Reading what it is says is so true.
Once in Sweetheart, just meeting...well that did not go as planned and one little white lie leads to another and things get out of hand. Blake Dennison is Garrett's right-hand man at the Log Cabin building company and sparks fly as soon as Hayley and Blake see each other. BUT there is also some caution as he has a good sense of things.
I love this book and the story it tells us. Reading what it is says is so true.
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