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Cowboy Mountain Christmas #4
Dreaming of His Snowed In Kiss
Everyone thinks Poppy Kyle is naturally happy and positive. But it took a major tragedy in her life for her to overcome her natural negative tendencies and develop a happiness attitude. She will not allow the surly West Barclay to steal her joy.
After West Barclay lost his parents in a car accident, he spent some time in foster care. Unfortunately, he fell in with the wrong crowd and saw just how rotten life can be. He still carries the scars. Poppy, with her perpetual smile and positive attitude irritates him to no end.
He couldn’t think of a person he would be less inclined to be snowed in with.
So, of course it was Poppy who had delivered the church’s supper to his ranch when the Snowstorm of the Century hit, closing down all roads and stranding two people who can barely stand each other together for a week.
Is it possible that they will see beyond their surface irritations and fall in love?
Books in the Cowboy Mountain Christmas series:
1. Dreaming of Her Cowboy's Kiss
2. Dreaming of His Convenient Kiss
3. Dreaming of Her Secret Santa's Kiss
4. Dreaming of His Snowed In Kiss
5. Dreaming of Her Best Friend's Kiss
6. Dreaming of His Pen Pal's Kiss
After West Barclay lost his parents in a car accident, he spent some time in foster care. Unfortunately, he fell in with the wrong crowd and saw just how rotten life can be. He still carries the scars. Poppy, with her perpetual smile and positive attitude irritates him to no end.
He couldn’t think of a person he would be less inclined to be snowed in with.
So, of course it was Poppy who had delivered the church’s supper to his ranch when the Snowstorm of the Century hit, closing down all roads and stranding two people who can barely stand each other together for a week.
Is it possible that they will see beyond their surface irritations and fall in love?
Books in the Cowboy Mountain Christmas series:
1. Dreaming of Her Cowboy's Kiss
2. Dreaming of His Convenient Kiss
3. Dreaming of Her Secret Santa's Kiss
4. Dreaming of His Snowed In Kiss
5. Dreaming of Her Best Friend's Kiss
6. Dreaming of His Pen Pal's Kiss
147 pages, ebook
Published November 17, 2020
381 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
November 18, 2020
(4.5 stars) - I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me
This is one of those stories that should be sad, but is actually pretty uplifting. West has been chosen by his foster sister to care for her 4 children while she is coping with cancer. West is overwhelmed, but she has no one else to turn to, & he can't let her down.
Poppy is a fellow church member who is so annoyingly upbeat & smiling all the time that he dubbed her "Pollyanna". Naturally, she ends up being the one who they send to help him with the kids.
They seem like opposites, but as they spend time together, they begin to realize how much they are alike & able to understand each other.
I loved the way we get to follow their thought processes as they change from frenemies to more. And was amused by the scene with Poppy's lip service to her determination to avoid close relationships, even as she knew that it was too late.
It's all a little too good to be true, perhaps, but never to the point that it was unbelievable - I found it inspiring.
The epilogue was my one minor disappointment. It's actually a sneak peek at the next book. I would have at least liked to have an update about the situation with Poppy's mom & sister, Hazel.
*Romance level: sweet kisses, nothing graphic
*Religion: overtly Christian, totally organic to the story
This is one of those stories that should be sad, but is actually pretty uplifting. West has been chosen by his foster sister to care for her 4 children while she is coping with cancer. West is overwhelmed, but she has no one else to turn to, & he can't let her down.
Poppy is a fellow church member who is so annoyingly upbeat & smiling all the time that he dubbed her "Pollyanna". Naturally, she ends up being the one who they send to help him with the kids.
They seem like opposites, but as they spend time together, they begin to realize how much they are alike & able to understand each other.
I loved the way we get to follow their thought processes as they change from frenemies to more. And was amused by the scene with Poppy's lip service to her determination to avoid close relationships, even as she knew that it was too late.
It's all a little too good to be true, perhaps, but never to the point that it was unbelievable - I found it inspiring.
The epilogue was my one minor disappointment. It's actually a sneak peek at the next book. I would have at least liked to have an update about the situation with Poppy's mom & sister, Hazel.
*Romance level: sweet kisses, nothing graphic
*Religion: overtly Christian, totally organic to the story
December 11, 2022
Wonderful small town sweet romance #4 in the series.
May 21, 2022
A Beautiful Examination of Life, Death, and Love
West is a farmer... moody, stoic, and unemotional. Poppy is a waitress... sunny, cheerful, and annoying. In their small town of Mistletoe, Arkansas, they run into each other at church, where Poppy naturally coordinates the meal ministry and West attends to support the pastor, his adoptive father.
When Poppy braves a rickety bridge to deliver a meal to West, who is caring for the four children of Minnie, a former foster sister of his who is dying from cancer, and giving the five of them space in his home, she handles the children like a pro and earns his grudging admiration. Meanwhile, his patience with a potty training three-year-old boy is working the same magic on her.
As time passes, the two opposites get into a rhythm of daily life: entertain the five-year-old, scrub poop out of their three-year-old's underwear (he regressed after his baby sister's birth), keep an eye on the two-year-old explorer, and change, feed, and rock the baby, who is the only girl in the family. He calls her Pollyanna, she tries (unsuccessfully) to get him to smile, and the predicted "storm of the century" approaches Mistletoe. When it arrives, it cuts off the farm from the town.
While snowed in, West and Poppy realize individually that they are attracted to each other and share their stories, which are horrifying on the surface but also prove that they are more alike than they thought.
Minnie is sinking fast, so when hospice is recommended, West decides to give her a last Christmas with her children, knowing that she won't live until the next winter. With the help of Poppy (decoration finding and making), Miss Penny (West's adoptive mother and gift shopper/wrapper), West's sister Blakely (elf) and her best friend Martin (Santa), Minnie and her children have a lovely Christmas. Poppy can tell that none of the little ones understand that their mother is going to live only a short time longer, and it breaks her heart. Looking at West, she sees the same emotion mirrored in his eyes... and he's the unemotional one!
Shortly before her death, Minnie calls Poppy and West and tells them she wants the two of them to care for her children after she's gone. A twist closes the book, and there's a bittersweet ending.
Jessie Gussman employs her trademark gentle humor and sly references to physical intimacy ("they spent a long time on the porch" after a kiss) to good effect. Matter-of-fact references to church, prayer, devil worship, and the implications of being angry with God mark the characters as good church-going people, though there are no specific references to Jesus Christ. The clean aspect of this romance is refreshing to a reader who has to wear her "filter" with books described by the author and publisher as "steamy" or "hot". Highly recommended for fans of Jessie Gussman and clean romance!
West is a farmer... moody, stoic, and unemotional. Poppy is a waitress... sunny, cheerful, and annoying. In their small town of Mistletoe, Arkansas, they run into each other at church, where Poppy naturally coordinates the meal ministry and West attends to support the pastor, his adoptive father.
When Poppy braves a rickety bridge to deliver a meal to West, who is caring for the four children of Minnie, a former foster sister of his who is dying from cancer, and giving the five of them space in his home, she handles the children like a pro and earns his grudging admiration. Meanwhile, his patience with a potty training three-year-old boy is working the same magic on her.
As time passes, the two opposites get into a rhythm of daily life: entertain the five-year-old, scrub poop out of their three-year-old's underwear (he regressed after his baby sister's birth), keep an eye on the two-year-old explorer, and change, feed, and rock the baby, who is the only girl in the family. He calls her Pollyanna, she tries (unsuccessfully) to get him to smile, and the predicted "storm of the century" approaches Mistletoe. When it arrives, it cuts off the farm from the town.
While snowed in, West and Poppy realize individually that they are attracted to each other and share their stories, which are horrifying on the surface but also prove that they are more alike than they thought.
Minnie is sinking fast, so when hospice is recommended, West decides to give her a last Christmas with her children, knowing that she won't live until the next winter. With the help of Poppy (decoration finding and making), Miss Penny (West's adoptive mother and gift shopper/wrapper), West's sister Blakely (elf) and her best friend Martin (Santa), Minnie and her children have a lovely Christmas. Poppy can tell that none of the little ones understand that their mother is going to live only a short time longer, and it breaks her heart. Looking at West, she sees the same emotion mirrored in his eyes... and he's the unemotional one!
Shortly before her death, Minnie calls Poppy and West and tells them she wants the two of them to care for her children after she's gone. A twist closes the book, and there's a bittersweet ending.
Jessie Gussman employs her trademark gentle humor and sly references to physical intimacy ("they spent a long time on the porch" after a kiss) to good effect. Matter-of-fact references to church, prayer, devil worship, and the implications of being angry with God mark the characters as good church-going people, though there are no specific references to Jesus Christ. The clean aspect of this romance is refreshing to a reader who has to wear her "filter" with books described by the author and publisher as "steamy" or "hot". Highly recommended for fans of Jessie Gussman and clean romance!
January 5, 2021
Dreaming of His Snowed In Kiss, Cowboy Mountain Christmas book 4. When church was over on Sunday morning and West was going down the steps he sees a skelton of a woman with 4 little children. She recognized West and he recognized her voice. She had lost her husband, and had taken no cancer treatments while pregnant with Gabriella, now 2 months old, till she was now dying from the cancer. She came to give West her children. So this bachelor now is taking care of his dying friend, a 2 month old, a 1 year old, a 3 year old and a 5 year old. When Poppy comes over with food that had been made for them she seen him with a screaming infant, a toddler crying hanging on his leg and the other two boys was standing against the wall with a scared look. Poppy, always smiling and acting happy comes in and gets the 3 little boys wiped off and at the table to eat and West held the baby giving her a bottle while he also ate. Minnie was staying most of the time in bed and had almost stopped eating. West and Poppy had always shared silly banter which made them sound like they didn't like each other, but truth was they did. When West thought Poppy would come the next day to help she did not show up. She had received notice that her mother was put in a mental hospital and they needed her to come get her 4 year old sister to raise. The next day she shows up at West's house with her sister Hazel and sees Garrett with nothing on but a towel that he was running around using it like wings. When she questions West about it she is told as long as Garrett has no clothes on he uses the bathroom. She tells West that might be a good potty training tip but, he needed clothes so she put a pull up on him that she brought with her. West was grateful to see them! West and Poppy decide they need to make Minnie's wish come true of having Christmas with all 4 kids now as Minnie was growing so much worse. The talk Minnie has that night with Poppy and West teaches them a lesson both needed to hear.
This story is sad due to the mother slowly dying with cancer and about to leave her 4 children orphans. There are parts of it that will make you just bawl. But, the antics of West and the 4 little kids is hilarious! When West finds out that Garrett has went back to having accidents in his pants all the time and there is no one but him to clean him up, he debates if it would be easier to "clean up if it were just lying on the floor rather than smashed into underwear and little boy butt."
This story is sad due to the mother slowly dying with cancer and about to leave her 4 children orphans. There are parts of it that will make you just bawl. But, the antics of West and the 4 little kids is hilarious! When West finds out that Garrett has went back to having accidents in his pants all the time and there is no one but him to clean him up, he debates if it would be easier to "clean up if it were just lying on the floor rather than smashed into underwear and little boy butt."
August 7, 2021
WHAT IT'S ABOUT
Everyone thinks Poppy Kyle is naturally happy and positive. But it took a major tragedy in her life for her to overcome her natural negative tendencies and develop a happiness attitude. She will not allow the surly West Barclay to steal her joy.
After West Barclay lost his parents in a car accident, he spent some time in foster care. Unfortunately, he fell in with the wrong crowd and saw just how rotten life can be. He still carries the scars. Poppy, with her perpetual smile and positive attitude irritates him to no end.
He couldn’t think of a person he would be less inclined to be snowed in with.
So, of course it was Poppy who had delivered the church’s supper to his ranch when the Snowstorm of the Century hit, closing down all roads and stranding two people who can barely stand each other together for a week.
Is it possible that they will see beyond their surface irritations and fall in love?
MY TAKE
This is such a wonderful series! I love the creative way the author finds in bringing Christmas into the stories even if it's not actually Christmas.
In this case, an old foster sister of West's shows up on his doorstep with her four kids (including a newborn). Minnie's a recent widow and is dying of cancer. She put off treatment for the sake of her baby.
Poppy and West have poked at each other since she arrived in Mistletoe two years previously. He calls her Pollyanna for her chipper attitude while she ribs him for always being in the dark. There's a lot of truth in both the things that bug each of them about the other. But, as always with a Gussman story, there are much deeper issues underneath.
When Poppy is asked by the pastor (who's also West's adopted dad) to help out tending the children so poor West can get some work done on his farm, she agrees. Working together to care for a dying woman and tending her sweet children forces Poppy and West to see each other differently. When they finally drop their barriers and share their pasts, the true sweetness begins.
Totally heartbreaking and sigh worthy.
Everyone thinks Poppy Kyle is naturally happy and positive. But it took a major tragedy in her life for her to overcome her natural negative tendencies and develop a happiness attitude. She will not allow the surly West Barclay to steal her joy.
After West Barclay lost his parents in a car accident, he spent some time in foster care. Unfortunately, he fell in with the wrong crowd and saw just how rotten life can be. He still carries the scars. Poppy, with her perpetual smile and positive attitude irritates him to no end.
He couldn’t think of a person he would be less inclined to be snowed in with.
So, of course it was Poppy who had delivered the church’s supper to his ranch when the Snowstorm of the Century hit, closing down all roads and stranding two people who can barely stand each other together for a week.
Is it possible that they will see beyond their surface irritations and fall in love?
MY TAKE
This is such a wonderful series! I love the creative way the author finds in bringing Christmas into the stories even if it's not actually Christmas.
In this case, an old foster sister of West's shows up on his doorstep with her four kids (including a newborn). Minnie's a recent widow and is dying of cancer. She put off treatment for the sake of her baby.
Poppy and West have poked at each other since she arrived in Mistletoe two years previously. He calls her Pollyanna for her chipper attitude while she ribs him for always being in the dark. There's a lot of truth in both the things that bug each of them about the other. But, as always with a Gussman story, there are much deeper issues underneath.
When Poppy is asked by the pastor (who's also West's adopted dad) to help out tending the children so poor West can get some work done on his farm, she agrees. Working together to care for a dying woman and tending her sweet children forces Poppy and West to see each other differently. When they finally drop their barriers and share their pasts, the true sweetness begins.
Totally heartbreaking and sigh worthy.
December 12, 2021
West intrigued me ever since I heard him evading Poppy in Dreaming of Her Secret Santa's Kiss. I love a good "enemies to lovers" story, and thus, I was seriously excited to start this one, especially after the title also hinted at another favorite trope of mine: getting snowed in (though it happened much later in the story than I thought it would). Needless to say, Jessie Gussman did not disappoint, and rather brought to life a beautiful, tug at your heartstrings story. Yes, both Poppy and West have faced some serious and dark issues in their pasts, yet God's grace has reached both of them. This doesn't mean they have the same outlook in life (they're opposites for a reason) but they both have deep, compassionate hearts. The addition of Minnie and her kids also intrigued me since the epilogue of the previous book and definitely tugged at my heartstrings, yet it served to better show the compassion and grace in both West and Poppy, as well as help them grow with this new challenge and grow closer to each other facing it together.
I loved how Jay brought to life every one of the characters, but I especially appreciated his little kids' voices, as well as the realness with which he portrayed a person who has cancer and is facing her last days. Of course, he's just as good portraying different emotions, from sadness, anger, and frustration at the injustice of a situation, to childlike glee, or even tenderness when a character realizes they have developed feelings for a certain someone. Truly, I love how he makes everything feel so real, and the added touches (sounds) of texts being sent definitely added to the experience.
Overall, a truly beautiful audiobook experience that's another great addition to this fantastic series set in Mistletoe. It's heartfelt and definitely delivers on the sweet romance while at the same time leaves you pondering on the greatest things of life (and that God's plans are definitely different and greater than ours). As always, I can't wait to see what the next story will bring. ~ 5 stars!
I loved how Jay brought to life every one of the characters, but I especially appreciated his little kids' voices, as well as the realness with which he portrayed a person who has cancer and is facing her last days. Of course, he's just as good portraying different emotions, from sadness, anger, and frustration at the injustice of a situation, to childlike glee, or even tenderness when a character realizes they have developed feelings for a certain someone. Truly, I love how he makes everything feel so real, and the added touches (sounds) of texts being sent definitely added to the experience.
Overall, a truly beautiful audiobook experience that's another great addition to this fantastic series set in Mistletoe. It's heartfelt and definitely delivers on the sweet romance while at the same time leaves you pondering on the greatest things of life (and that God's plans are definitely different and greater than ours). As always, I can't wait to see what the next story will bring. ~ 5 stars!
November 15, 2020
I love Jessie Gussman Books, this one is no exception. Pippa and Wes have a playful relationship. So when his foster sister comes with the four kids on his doorstep, peppers asked to bring food out to the farm house to help them out. With our sunshine personality and food into West grumbles at the side of her at first. He has things in his past that causes him to feel undeserving and comes out in his dark attitude. That’s no match for peppers sunshiny one though and little does Wes know she feels the exact same way. It’s not until she is asked once again to bring out pull-ups on a day when things are hectic one of the boys is running around naked with a towel it’s almost 11 and no one‘s eaten breakfast and this is the day after she’s picked up her own sister Hazel because her mother’s emotions were affecting her four-year-old sisters outlook on life. She spent the day in eventually becomes snowed in with him the four children of a sister who is dying of cancer after losing her own husband and her little sister Hazel. The sister is in hospice so it’s her Wes and the children in my house the tides term. This is a wonderful book one that I loved it seems like Jessie Gussman comes up with better and better plots. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves historical romances it is so good! I loved it!
November 29, 2020
What I enjoyed:
• During the first part of this book, I was impressed by how the author thoroughly imparted to the reader the depth of insecurity Poppy was going through. I laughed at Poppy's self talk scenes. Poppy was such a fun character and full of so much sunshine.
• West was a man who erected a brick wall around himself to block out the world. The only time the wall cracked was when he bantered with Poppy. Will West let his wall fall?
• The bantering between Poppy and West was delightful and it kept me smiling until the very end of this book.
• West and Poppy were characters that you wanted to discover more about as you read their story. This story touched my heart. Two people damaged by life trying to survive each day.
• The minor players in the story added depth to the storyline and were well developed. The children added such a cute factor.
• The descriptions of locations and emotions were well done, easy to visualize, and to feel. I felt a part of the scenes.
• I did not find this western Christian romance preachy. Religion was just a natural part of the characters' lives. No lectures.
I was given an advance copy of this book by the author. My review was voluntary and my opinions were my own. I really enjoyed reading this book by Jessie Gussman and I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
• During the first part of this book, I was impressed by how the author thoroughly imparted to the reader the depth of insecurity Poppy was going through. I laughed at Poppy's self talk scenes. Poppy was such a fun character and full of so much sunshine.
• West was a man who erected a brick wall around himself to block out the world. The only time the wall cracked was when he bantered with Poppy. Will West let his wall fall?
• The bantering between Poppy and West was delightful and it kept me smiling until the very end of this book.
• West and Poppy were characters that you wanted to discover more about as you read their story. This story touched my heart. Two people damaged by life trying to survive each day.
• The minor players in the story added depth to the storyline and were well developed. The children added such a cute factor.
• The descriptions of locations and emotions were well done, easy to visualize, and to feel. I felt a part of the scenes.
• I did not find this western Christian romance preachy. Religion was just a natural part of the characters' lives. No lectures.
I was given an advance copy of this book by the author. My review was voluntary and my opinions were my own. I really enjoyed reading this book by Jessie Gussman and I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
November 15, 2020
We are back in Arkansas, with this sweet, at times heartbreaking, and touching Christian romance .
Poppy Kyle always shows to the world a smile and projects happiness. But few know the truth . She’s suffered tremendous losses. Losses that changed her life and her family forever.
West Barclay is a rancher whose time in the foster care system was very dark. That is, until the local pastor and his wife adopted him and his siblings.
Nowadays one of his friends from the foster care has been inflicted with terminal cancer, and has come to West’s home with her four children to rest and spend her final days.
West is clueless on how to care for these kids, but instinct and with the help of Poppy, whom he’s been attracted to for a while, the kids not only flourish, but also change his mind about kids, and life.
Can these two individuals whose past has been tragic and filled with sadness be able to find happiness and a new beginning?
As the author reminds us “…happiness is a choice…joy of the Lord is my strength…” Reminding us that with God’s help, we not only can overcome obstacles, but also find happiness.
Another wonderful, and thought provoking story in this series.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Poppy Kyle always shows to the world a smile and projects happiness. But few know the truth . She’s suffered tremendous losses. Losses that changed her life and her family forever.
West Barclay is a rancher whose time in the foster care system was very dark. That is, until the local pastor and his wife adopted him and his siblings.
Nowadays one of his friends from the foster care has been inflicted with terminal cancer, and has come to West’s home with her four children to rest and spend her final days.
West is clueless on how to care for these kids, but instinct and with the help of Poppy, whom he’s been attracted to for a while, the kids not only flourish, but also change his mind about kids, and life.
Can these two individuals whose past has been tragic and filled with sadness be able to find happiness and a new beginning?
As the author reminds us “…happiness is a choice…joy of the Lord is my strength…” Reminding us that with God’s help, we not only can overcome obstacles, but also find happiness.
Another wonderful, and thought provoking story in this series.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
November 16, 2020
West had not planned his life to take this turn… ever! Within a Sunday morning, he finds himself taking care of a dying mother, her three little boys and baby girl. Being overwhelmed, the church decides to send him Poppy to help with the children and house chores so he can continue running his farm. Though Poppy loves children, this is not where she saw her life going either…
The journey West and Poppy went through is very encouraging, especially after learning about their pasts. Though I’m not necessarily agreeing to the interpretation at the end of the book that I should gladly embrace every hardship God is sending me unconditionally. Still, I loved this story. Of course, writing about children in need of parents and love is not very fair to begin with, tugging at all my heartstrings ☺. If you also love stories about children, you will definitely be moved with this one, enjoy!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The journey West and Poppy went through is very encouraging, especially after learning about their pasts. Though I’m not necessarily agreeing to the interpretation at the end of the book that I should gladly embrace every hardship God is sending me unconditionally. Still, I loved this story. Of course, writing about children in need of parents and love is not very fair to begin with, tugging at all my heartstrings ☺. If you also love stories about children, you will definitely be moved with this one, enjoy!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 23, 2020
Jessie Gussman is one of my go-to authors and this book illustrates why. I loved this story about West and Poppy. Bachelor West is trying to care for 4 children who range from infant to age 5 as their mother lays dying in his house and as anyone who has ever cared for so many small fry knows--it is not easy. The church sent Poppy over to assist much to West's chagrin; he can't stand to be around her perpetual smile and Pollyanna outlook. As they work together, they learn that they had both been through difficult trials early in their lives but they responded in opposite ways and as they share their stories they are shocked to learn how much they have in common. These frenemies not only have a meeting of the minds; they also have a meeting of the hearts. It's a beautiful story. Highly recommend! I was entrusted with a copy of the book by the author and this is my honest and voluntarily given review.
November 14, 2020
I received an ARC of this book from the author, Jessie Gussman, via Bookfunnel and this is my voluntary and honest review. I loved this heartwarming love story of Poppy and West that grew out of their compassion for Minnie and her four children five years old and younger. Minnie is dying with cancer because she found out she was pregnant the same time she was diagnosed with cancer and decided to wait for treatments so she could have her baby. The father of her children died in a farm accident, so she decided to ask West to take care of her and her children. She and West grew up in the same foster home before he was adopted by Pastor Race as a teenager. Pastor Race asks Poppy to help West with the children. There are some funny moments and some sad moments and it is a wonderful story. I highly recommend this must read book that will warm your heart.
November 25, 2020
This is another sweet addition to this series.
West and Poppy really didn't get along. He was dark and sullen and she was light and happiness, or so it appeared. The truth is they both had some tragedy and suffering in their past. When they are thrown together to care for four children (and then a fifth), they learned that God shows his love in mysterious ways sometimes and we don't always know what another person is suffering with. They learned that God's love can heal all things.
I really liked the progression of this story and how they learned to trust and love again. This story, as with all of Jessie Gussman's stories is clean but doesn't shy away from difficult subject matter or challenges her characters face.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
West and Poppy really didn't get along. He was dark and sullen and she was light and happiness, or so it appeared. The truth is they both had some tragedy and suffering in their past. When they are thrown together to care for four children (and then a fifth), they learned that God shows his love in mysterious ways sometimes and we don't always know what another person is suffering with. They learned that God's love can heal all things.
I really liked the progression of this story and how they learned to trust and love again. This story, as with all of Jessie Gussman's stories is clean but doesn't shy away from difficult subject matter or challenges her characters face.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
July 7, 2022
West has been in a dark place since his parents were killed in an auto accident and he was placed in a foster home where people were practicing Satan worship. When he and his siblings were adopted by Pastor Race and his wife Penny, things certainly improved except for his dark attit Poppy, or Peppy as West calls her, is from church and one of these people who always has a sunny disposition. He can hardly stand her Pollyanna complex and he lets her know it. When Minnie, on of his foster sisters, shows up on the church steps looking like death warmed over, West is stunned when she asks him to take her and her children in temporarily. Just about the time West knows he is in way over his head, Poppy shows up with meals from church and offers to help. The story is predictable but sweet and so enjoyable.
November 15, 2020
Love will overcome tragedy
Tragedy in their pasts have made West and Poppy determined to protect their hearts and never love again but they have handled their grief very differently. West has wrapped himself in darkness while Poppy is determined to live in the joy that God brings. The need to care for four small children that will soon be orphans has brought them together and the challenges it brings are offset by the rewards
Jessie Gussman eloquently creates clean, Christian romances that are lessons in character and faith. They always leave me feeling uplifted and happy. This story is no different. Wes and Poppy are remarkable for what they have survived and make an incredible couple.
Tragedy in their pasts have made West and Poppy determined to protect their hearts and never love again but they have handled their grief very differently. West has wrapped himself in darkness while Poppy is determined to live in the joy that God brings. The need to care for four small children that will soon be orphans has brought them together and the challenges it brings are offset by the rewards
Jessie Gussman eloquently creates clean, Christian romances that are lessons in character and faith. They always leave me feeling uplifted and happy. This story is no different. Wes and Poppy are remarkable for what they have survived and make an incredible couple.
November 19, 2020
What a deeply emotional story. This is a very difficult story as we meet 4 young children and their mother who happens to be very I'll. The 3 little boys will pull at your heartstrings as they learn to let the gruff West take care of them. Especially little Garrett as he struggles to potty train. This story isn't just sad though it has some funny parts as Poppy and West have a relationship that is more sparring than friendship. Both Poppy and West have a wealth of secrets piled up inside and have a difficult time allowing people to get close. I really enjoyed this heart wrenching story that has emotions that are all over the place. A great read.
I received a free download of this book from the publisher. This review is my own honest opinion.
I received a free download of this book from the publisher. This review is my own honest opinion.
February 17, 2021
The description of this book does not reveal what a heart-wrencher the story is. There is Minnie (dying of cancer) & her 4 children that are living with Wes who has little understanding of how to care for the children while trying to keep up his ranch work. Poppy is the perfect, optimistic woman to be in his life. But her always smiling face & positive attitude drives him to distraction at the beginning. Poppy & Wes have tragedies in their background. When Poppy revealed hers I wanted to cry. Then there is Minnie's situation that caused me to cry again. Ms. Gussman does a superior job writing this book. I was given an audio copy of the book read by Jay Dyess. Mr. Dyess has the best voice that is just perfect for reading books. I love listening to him. This is my voluntary review.
October 27, 2021
Yep , skinny wooden bridges are very scary!
Wow! Awesome story, there is so very much to love about this story but as in all the other books in this story the Barclay’s six adopted children certainly have very much conquered the title of real men in real life situations who realize the love of their opposites who truly make their world a wonderful place . You will truly enjoy the characters in these stories and I recommend you read them all. I especially liked to debate over potatoes being or not being vegetables. This author is a true blessing to her characters and her extended family of reader. Don’t want to tell to much of hat happens in the story as doing so would ruin the effects of what you will read. But I assure you that you will love it.
Wow! Awesome story, there is so very much to love about this story but as in all the other books in this story the Barclay’s six adopted children certainly have very much conquered the title of real men in real life situations who realize the love of their opposites who truly make their world a wonderful place . You will truly enjoy the characters in these stories and I recommend you read them all. I especially liked to debate over potatoes being or not being vegetables. This author is a true blessing to her characters and her extended family of reader. Don’t want to tell to much of hat happens in the story as doing so would ruin the effects of what you will read. But I assure you that you will love it.
April 30, 2023
What you Want and Need are Usually right in Front of You
Poppy and West were definitely two of a kind underneath there exteriors. Satan worship is nothing to laugh at and is very real, that is what scared West the most. West realized the amount of violence and evil in the world was so much greater and consuming than he ever knew, effected him for the next 20 years. Poppy was so consumed in grief dealing with the loss of 9 brothers and sisters and her father within an hour as the thier house burned. Poppy's mother went into a depression that she was never able to recover from. Together looking after four children from a cancer ridden friend brought them together. An excellent Read
Poppy and West were definitely two of a kind underneath there exteriors. Satan worship is nothing to laugh at and is very real, that is what scared West the most. West realized the amount of violence and evil in the world was so much greater and consuming than he ever knew, effected him for the next 20 years. Poppy was so consumed in grief dealing with the loss of 9 brothers and sisters and her father within an hour as the thier house burned. Poppy's mother went into a depression that she was never able to recover from. Together looking after four children from a cancer ridden friend brought them together. An excellent Read
January 18, 2024
My favorite line in Dreaming of His Snowed in Kiss comes at the end of the book: "Isn't me getting angry at what God is giving me the same as me saying I know better than God?" The main characters in this book have survived horrible tragedies, while another character is facing her mortality. West Barclay has his hands full when he is asked to help four little children who need love and attention and a place to stay. Thankfully, Poppy Kyle comes to his rescue. These two people who once couldn't wait to get away from each other while at the same time couldn't wait to see each other, learn to work together. While this story is sad, it is also uplifting. There is a lot of love in this book. I enjoyed reading this story and now want to check out other books in this series.
November 15, 2020
Jessie Gussman's stories always touch my heart, and this one is no different. Poppy's and West's story had me laughing out loud and then had me brushing away tears; the emotions ran the gamut. But the thing I most appreciate in each of the author's stories, this one included, is the spiritual revelation I experience as I'm reading. With godly perspective, Ms. Gussman writes frankly, yet compassionately, about difficult subjects, specifically in this book, terminal cancer and mental illness. This is a story of two broken souls brought together and healed by the five children who need them. It's a beautiful story of redemption and adoption.
November 17, 2020
West is suddenly taking care of 4 kids under the age of 5 as his former foster sister lies dying of cancer. Poppy has been asked by the church to drop off some food. West and Poppy rub each other the wrong way - they both have tragic secrets and each has dealt with the changes in dramatically different ways.
This is a lovely story, but it's also a special Christmas story. I loved the way West learned to take care of the kids without complaint and still has to take care of his farm. Poppy becomes a helping hand - and then more.
This is my favorite book in this series so far. I recommend to to any age reader who can handle the concept of death in a young person.
This is a lovely story, but it's also a special Christmas story. I loved the way West learned to take care of the kids without complaint and still has to take care of his farm. Poppy becomes a helping hand - and then more.
This is my favorite book in this series so far. I recommend to to any age reader who can handle the concept of death in a young person.
November 28, 2020
5 stars
This is a sweet romance between West and Poppy in the Cowboy Mountain Christmas series. West has a history of being a glum Gus, while Poppy is more of a Pollyanna type. This story begins when an old friend who is quite ill lands on West's doorstep with her 4 very young children. West is thrust into the role of guardian and is floundering until Poppy shows up. While the 2 of them mix like oil and water, they realize that taking care of these small children requires a joint effort.
I have loved this series from the very beginning. Jessie Gussman writes with so much humor and emotion that I felt like I was reading about old friends.
This is a sweet romance between West and Poppy in the Cowboy Mountain Christmas series. West has a history of being a glum Gus, while Poppy is more of a Pollyanna type. This story begins when an old friend who is quite ill lands on West's doorstep with her 4 very young children. West is thrust into the role of guardian and is floundering until Poppy shows up. While the 2 of them mix like oil and water, they realize that taking care of these small children requires a joint effort.
I have loved this series from the very beginning. Jessie Gussman writes with so much humor and emotion that I felt like I was reading about old friends.
December 5, 2021
This book by Jessie Gussman demonstrates how shadows from the past affect a person for years and how they choose to handle those shadows can affect the relationships they have. Three different people with things in their pasts they would rather not think about come together in this story. Each is facing a situation that they neither planned or wanted but they learn as they move forward that God gives grace to everyone and He can take a bad situation and turn it into something beautiful! Jay Dyess did such a great job narrating this. He does each voice so well and I love how you could see each child as he portrayed them!
October 24, 2022
Jessie Gussman touches on a more sensitive subject this time. A mother with four very young children is too ill to take care of them. Yet somehow that tragedy is the. backdrop of a nicely woven story of two confirmed singles with their own heartache-filled pasts working together to take care of the children and learning to trust again: in themselves, in life, in relationships, and in God himself.
Poppy finds West a bit dark and grumpy. He finds her too lighthearted and full of laughter and joy. There’s a great lesson on light overcoming the dark. As Jessie always does, there are many moments of laughter, especially because of the real-life antics of the children.
Poppy finds West a bit dark and grumpy. He finds her too lighthearted and full of laughter and joy. There’s a great lesson on light overcoming the dark. As Jessie always does, there are many moments of laughter, especially because of the real-life antics of the children.
January 8, 2025
Grumpy sunshine, manly man tenderly raising kids (even if he is in way over his head), rough backgrounds that show you choose how to face the world afterwards and can overcome anything with God. Adorable kids with big messes. I can’t believe this is the second story in the series with 5 kids. Involved and i guess the first one in the series has a kids camp and floundering to figure out how to make it work.
It brings me peace as a mom of 4 almost 5 to see that you can figure out the chaos and the reminder to just enjoy the moment and smile. It was needed. Love the christian messages in these series :)
It brings me peace as a mom of 4 almost 5 to see that you can figure out the chaos and the reminder to just enjoy the moment and smile. It was needed. Love the christian messages in these series :)
November 13, 2020
Jessie Gussman has a way with words, emotions, feelings that really reach your heart and touch your soul, and brings tou closer to God. Poppy is all smiles and happiness, West is always serious abd in a bad mood. Can two people so different really have any in common or are they much more alike that they think? They both have suffered traumatic experience in their teen years but they way they faced it it's totally different. But five children and a very sick woman can bring them together. A warm, funny, sad, tough and inspiring story.
November 17, 2020
It is always amazing to see how Pastor Race and his wife know what is best for their children and members of their congregation. It was also nice to see how Minnie's children were going to bring together two sweet people who had suffered tragedy in their lives and that they could choose to dwell on that or they could choose to be happy and open their hearts to love and to Minnie's sweet children. This book will definitely touch your heart. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
November 19, 2020
God's Truth
Oh, (sigh), this story will break your heart and then put it back together. There is an abundance of love in this book as well as self growth and realization of the necessity of having God in our lives.
As West and Poppy team up to help a cancer stricken woman, they learn they have much more in common than they originally thought. This story has all the feels, pain and growth of every great story. The message will stay with you long after you've gone on your next reading binge~
Oh, (sigh), this story will break your heart and then put it back together. There is an abundance of love in this book as well as self growth and realization of the necessity of having God in our lives.
As West and Poppy team up to help a cancer stricken woman, they learn they have much more in common than they originally thought. This story has all the feels, pain and growth of every great story. The message will stay with you long after you've gone on your next reading binge~
November 20, 2020
Poppy and West think they're the opposite of attracted to each other. Hidden behind their need to act turned off by the other is an actual draw to each other based on previous tragedies they had both suffered. Their chemistry is so cute and I loved the concept of perceived light vs. dark in their personalities. It was clever and cute and I really felt light reading it even though the premise of the story could have made for a fairly depressing thought pattern and story. It wasn't at all though!
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