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Silver Creek Christmas #1
Christmas at Holly Berry Inn
An unexpected snowstorm. A moody heartthrob from the past. And one cozy inn to rekindle a lost love.When a snowstorm strands her at a hundred-year-old inn, Sloan Hanson's holiday season gets off to a rocky start. Especially when the innkeeper happens to be her former best friend and the guy who broke her heart in two like an overbaked sugar cookie.Rowan Graham thought he'd let go of Sloan years ago. But when she blows back into his quiet life and wins over his niece, whose happiness is his top priority, he starts to wonder if this is the do-over he's been waiting for.As sparks fly, fighting a deeper attraction becomes more pointless than hanging mistletoe over a couple of newlyweds. But when their separate lives threaten to pull them apart they will have to choose between love or the different paths they thought they always wanted.
For fans of swoony book boyfriends, toe-curling kisses, and a bit of holiday romance. One-click to binge this sweet Christmas romance today!
For fans of swoony book boyfriends, toe-curling kisses, and a bit of holiday romance. One-click to binge this sweet Christmas romance today!
176 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 29, 2020
523 people are currently reading
316 people want to read
About the author
Emily Childs
30 books364 followersI live in Utah with my husband, our four kids, our dog who thinks she is human, and a rather suspicious cat. A fantasy anthology which included my work in 2018 hit the USA Today Bestseller's list. I have written several fantasy and romance novels and adore both genres!
You'll most likely find me when I'm not writing trying to keep up with the kids, daydreaming, spending time in the mountains, and drinking too much caffeine.
You'll most likely find me when I'm not writing trying to keep up with the kids, daydreaming, spending time in the mountains, and drinking too much caffeine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
December 7, 2020
So Many Comma Problems
I thoroughly enjoy checking out holiday romances, and I was so looking forward to this one as it has some tropes I enjoy. Unfortunately, I was turned off nearly right away because of the author's absolute lack of knowledge about how to use commas and other punctuation. There were run-on sentences that should have had other punctuation and words or been split into more than one sentence. Commas weren't used around names or after long directory phrases. They certainly weren't used as they should have been to separate two independent clauses (i.e., two otherwise full sentences) in a sentence. I'll admit to being a bit of a grammar nerd, as I am a freelance editor, but there were so many problems with commas and other forms of punctuation—usually lacking—that it actually sometimes made the writing hard to parse, requiring a second quick look to fully understand what the author was trying to say. The characters were perfectly fine, even if the plot is a little pedestrian with so many familiar romance and holiday tropes. I think I would have felt more towards the characters and connected better with them if the book was not so full of errors. I did receive an ARC copy, but a check of the published version at Amazon showed that these massive problems still existed in the first 10%. The story is fine, but I do not feel that I can recommend it with so many errors on every page.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
I thoroughly enjoy checking out holiday romances, and I was so looking forward to this one as it has some tropes I enjoy. Unfortunately, I was turned off nearly right away because of the author's absolute lack of knowledge about how to use commas and other punctuation. There were run-on sentences that should have had other punctuation and words or been split into more than one sentence. Commas weren't used around names or after long directory phrases. They certainly weren't used as they should have been to separate two independent clauses (i.e., two otherwise full sentences) in a sentence. I'll admit to being a bit of a grammar nerd, as I am a freelance editor, but there were so many problems with commas and other forms of punctuation—usually lacking—that it actually sometimes made the writing hard to parse, requiring a second quick look to fully understand what the author was trying to say. The characters were perfectly fine, even if the plot is a little pedestrian with so many familiar romance and holiday tropes. I think I would have felt more towards the characters and connected better with them if the book was not so full of errors. I did receive an ARC copy, but a check of the published version at Amazon showed that these massive problems still existed in the first 10%. The story is fine, but I do not feel that I can recommend it with so many errors on every page.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
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December 14, 2023Super cute Christmas romance
November 1, 2021
(4.5 stars) - when you're looking for some good cheer!
I love second chance romances, Christmas romance, & Emily Childs' books, so this had everything going for it - and it didn't disappoint!
Sloan & Rowan grew up together & were the best of friends, then life & death and their own woundedness gets in the way.
Eight years later, an unexpected reunion forces them to re-examine their past thru more mature eyes.
The story was immediately engaging and easily held my happy attention all the way to the end. While the premise is hardly original, I loved that the characters handled things like real people instead of angsty teens.
I thought the final moment with Sloan's dad, while Christmas sweet, wasn't that plausible from what we've been led to believe about him but tis the season for miracles! And I did appreciate the realism that the "bad guys" in the book aren't thorough villains so much as they're just messed up.
In fact, I particularly enjoyed the denouement where the author takes a common trope and flips the reader's expectations. It's an excellent story for a solid dose of Christmas cheer & belongs on Santa's "Nice" list!
*Romance level: passionate kisses, relationships are open-ended with regard to intimacy (ie there's no mention either way), and nothing graphic
I love second chance romances, Christmas romance, & Emily Childs' books, so this had everything going for it - and it didn't disappoint!
Sloan & Rowan grew up together & were the best of friends, then life & death and their own woundedness gets in the way.
Eight years later, an unexpected reunion forces them to re-examine their past thru more mature eyes.
The story was immediately engaging and easily held my happy attention all the way to the end. While the premise is hardly original, I loved that the characters handled things like real people instead of angsty teens.
I thought the final moment with Sloan's dad, while Christmas sweet, wasn't that plausible from what we've been led to believe about him but tis the season for miracles! And I did appreciate the realism that the "bad guys" in the book aren't thorough villains so much as they're just messed up.
In fact, I particularly enjoyed the denouement where the author takes a common trope and flips the reader's expectations. It's an excellent story for a solid dose of Christmas cheer & belongs on Santa's "Nice" list!
*Romance level: passionate kisses, relationships are open-ended with regard to intimacy (ie there's no mention either way), and nothing graphic
February 11, 2021
Sloan and Rowan had been best friends since they were seven years old. Then, just before their senior year, Sloan's parents decided she needed to leave Silver Creek and move on to bigger and better things. When she told Rowan that she loved him, knowing that he loved her back, he broke her heart and sent her away. His own heart was breaking and he wanted what was best for Sloan. He had regretted that decision for the past eight years.
Now, here she was and he didn't want to let this chance slip by but she had broken his heart all those years ago and didn't know if he wanted to open his heart up to the possibility of more pain. She had been his everything and then she was gone. No one had ever compared to his Sloan. Was it worth the risk?
This was such a clean, wholesome, sweet romantic story of second chances. I loved how they got to know each other again and the banter they had between them. I loved that Abigal, and to a lesser degree, Hallie, were another sweet part of the story.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
Now, here she was and he didn't want to let this chance slip by but she had broken his heart all those years ago and didn't know if he wanted to open his heart up to the possibility of more pain. She had been his everything and then she was gone. No one had ever compared to his Sloan. Was it worth the risk?
This was such a clean, wholesome, sweet romantic story of second chances. I loved how they got to know each other again and the banter they had between them. I loved that Abigal, and to a lesser degree, Hallie, were another sweet part of the story.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
September 10, 2021
I've read quite a few of this author's books - both under Emily Childs and as CJ Marie. The name change has not changed anything about the quality of the writing put forth. This one is simply wonderful. Gah! Rowan's character is the anchor and each layer revealed by the author makes him more interesting and oh so yummy. Luckily, Sloan's character is smart and recognizes that their fateful meeting after so many years of loss and missing her best friend is her chance to return to the warmth and unconditional love her life has been missing. Both main characters are complex, memorable and as their stories are slowly revealed, they become more real in the best way with angst, and lots and lots of glorious feels and romance This story also gives us several interesting secondary characters helping to move this story forward with varying levels of caring, humor and snark. I am a fan and I highly recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 17, 2020
Another great Christmas romance for the season! This one is a second chance love story. Sloan and Rowan were best friends in High School. But just on the verge of it turning into something more, Sloan is forced to move away. Eight years later they reunite by accident and... Well, you'll have to read the book to see what happens.
Even if I kept forgetting which was Sloan and which was Rowan🤦 (why make their names so dang similar and useable for both sexes?!) Their love story was sweet and clean. Rowan's niece Abigail just brought out so many tender moments that you couldn't help fall in love with this little family in the making.
I also liked how neither one was trying to walk away or give up once things got a little though. That's how it should always be.
I did have issues with my Kindle copy - several typos and mistakes. I had to reread those confusing sentences to make sense of what was happening. Just a little frustrating, but not enough to distract me from the cute story.
Even if I kept forgetting which was Sloan and which was Rowan🤦 (why make their names so dang similar and useable for both sexes?!) Their love story was sweet and clean. Rowan's niece Abigail just brought out so many tender moments that you couldn't help fall in love with this little family in the making.
I also liked how neither one was trying to walk away or give up once things got a little though. That's how it should always be.
I did have issues with my Kindle copy - several typos and mistakes. I had to reread those confusing sentences to make sense of what was happening. Just a little frustrating, but not enough to distract me from the cute story.
July 8, 2025
Sloan was only supposed to stay at the inn for two days. She was headed further up the mountain to another resort, her place of employment, but a heavy snow storm has stranded her and kept her from leaving. Imagine her surprise when the innkeeper turns out to be Rowan, her best friend from school, the guy that broke her heart. They have a history, and they will need to resolve some issues, but it is clear that they are still attracted to each other. It may take Rowan’s niece to give him the push he needs to make amends with Sloan. This Christmas romance is delightful in so many ways. A clean romance, it is not without some sadness and a bit of tension, but hope is always there for a happy ending even while their career choices appear to be pulling them apart. Great writing, likable characters, and an interesting plot all add up to wonderful Christmas tale that is sure to warm your heart.
March 23, 2021
One of my favorite books
I loved this book! Emily Childs took time with developing the characters! You can feel their hurt, when torn from being best friends at such a critical age. Sloan and Rowan both have many emotions, you can feel how each handled their individual challenges.
The town is small and if you close your eyes you can image the Inn at Christmas. Sloan is quite successful, and it takes the entire novel for her to say aloud that she wished her Dad would have loved her and been proud of her. Rowan is stoic and has had many losses in his life. Enjoy reading as they rediscover each other, come to grips about the past, and decide if they have a future or was the 8 years too much time apart.
It is a romance, very warm and touching. Definitely rated G for all ages!
I loved this book! Emily Childs took time with developing the characters! You can feel their hurt, when torn from being best friends at such a critical age. Sloan and Rowan both have many emotions, you can feel how each handled their individual challenges.
The town is small and if you close your eyes you can image the Inn at Christmas. Sloan is quite successful, and it takes the entire novel for her to say aloud that she wished her Dad would have loved her and been proud of her. Rowan is stoic and has had many losses in his life. Enjoy reading as they rediscover each other, come to grips about the past, and decide if they have a future or was the 8 years too much time apart.
It is a romance, very warm and touching. Definitely rated G for all ages!
October 14, 2021
Lost love reignites
This is a heartwarming romance between Sloan and Rowan during the Christmas season. Old friends reunited unexpectedly and the flames of love reignites. I enjoyed watching this couple as they mesh their lives back together as if eight years apart never diminished their love for one another. They both matured and learned hard lessons. I loved all the side characters and appreciated how well developed they were. The backdrop of the Christmas season added a warm touch. Very much worth the read.
This is a heartwarming romance between Sloan and Rowan during the Christmas season. Old friends reunited unexpectedly and the flames of love reignites. I enjoyed watching this couple as they mesh their lives back together as if eight years apart never diminished their love for one another. They both matured and learned hard lessons. I loved all the side characters and appreciated how well developed they were. The backdrop of the Christmas season added a warm touch. Very much worth the read.
November 23, 2022
I really enjoyed this Christmas Romance. It’s a quick read about a Friends to lovers, sort of second chance, story. I loved the characters and their relationships, whether romantic or just the friendly ones between the surround characters and the main pair.
The back and forth POV between the 2 main characters is well done and gave insight into the headspace of both as the story progressed. I Gave 4 stars because, it’s independently published, and there were the odd spelling mistake. Which was still easily over looked.
Over all this was a sweetly written story that I highly enjoyed!
The back and forth POV between the 2 main characters is well done and gave insight into the headspace of both as the story progressed. I Gave 4 stars because, it’s independently published, and there were the odd spelling mistake. Which was still easily over looked.
Over all this was a sweetly written story that I highly enjoyed!
December 12, 2022
What a sweet book to begin my Christmas 22 readathon. This is a sweet romance about forgiveness and how life can take a change when you least expect it, in a very good way.
Sloan and Rowan, best friends since they were 7 years old, had a falling out 8 years ago. They haven't spoken since, even though they both regret it. Life takes Holly back to Silver Creek on a business deal. Little does she know that she's going to run into Rowan. Dealing with the feelings that come from that are both harsh and sweet.
Great clean romance.
Sloan and Rowan, best friends since they were 7 years old, had a falling out 8 years ago. They haven't spoken since, even though they both regret it. Life takes Holly back to Silver Creek on a business deal. Little does she know that she's going to run into Rowan. Dealing with the feelings that come from that are both harsh and sweet.
Great clean romance.
November 14, 2021
Not a fan of the narrative style. 2 narrators and then it just drops you in a past timeline about halfway through. Quite a few grammatical and spelling errors as well, which is a huge pet peeve of mine. If you are going to print something and release it into the wild, do your due diligence (or at least hire an editor). Seeing how the butchery of the English language comes standard on books from Kindle Unlimited, I need to this stop being a surprise with every title I check out.
December 11, 2024
I'm a huge fan of her romantasy books(LJ Andrews), so I thought I'd give this a shot. This was the perfect holiday, second chance romance. I loved the characters and the "hallmark Christmas " ambiance. Also, for someone who's not a huge contemporary romance reader, this was the perfect length book. More substance than a short story, but not long enough to have the pointless drama and dialog that so many romances do. Perfect cozy Christmas read!
December 15, 2020
i really appreciate when an author takes the time to keep it clean ...i would think it would be extremely easy ...but apparently not for the most ... the big part of the crowd ... no judgement ... i just thank authors who do ...wish there were more out there. great book cover. fun characters. holidays romance are fun and i enjoy this often. thank you!! must read.
January 1, 2021
Woman is in her former hometown to set up a resort for the wealthy. She ends up at the local b&b which is now run by her former best friend. Time has complicated their lives... and their senior year of high school didn't end so well. She has to figure 0ut how to manage her parents and a rekindled friendship and a possible romance.
April 2, 2021
Christmas at Holly Berry Inn is a sweet, fun, second chance, Christmas romance. I love Sloan, Rowan, Abigail and Jeri. The locations sounded pretty amazing also. The book is novella length which makes it perfect to read for a break in a hectic schedule. This well written story drew me in and kept my attention. I highly recommend the book.
November 29, 2021
Christmas Read
A wonderful Christmas read that will definitely put you in the
spirit of Christmas. This second chance romance story is full of hope and love during the holidays. If you are looking for a story to pull on your heartstrings but give you that bit of Christmas cheer, then this is your book.
A wonderful Christmas read that will definitely put you in the
spirit of Christmas. This second chance romance story is full of hope and love during the holidays. If you are looking for a story to pull on your heartstrings but give you that bit of Christmas cheer, then this is your book.
July 22, 2022
Fun and unexpected
This book had some fun ways of taking the typical expected Hallmark storylines and flipping them into a bit more than that. It was definitely an enjoyable read, that while there were times I got lost and confused (likely just because I'm not used to the authors style yet) I'm glad I found this book and got a chance to enjoy it.
This book had some fun ways of taking the typical expected Hallmark storylines and flipping them into a bit more than that. It was definitely an enjoyable read, that while there were times I got lost and confused (likely just because I'm not used to the authors style yet) I'm glad I found this book and got a chance to enjoy it.
December 11, 2024
Another cute little Christmas novella!
Best friends->enemies->lovers
Sloane and Rowan were best friends growing up, moving away and honesty about feelings created distance and a divide in friendship as well as a broken heart. Years later Sloane checks into a quaint bed and breakfast owned by none other than Rowan. Cute reconnect, and adorable story ending with a happily ever after!
Best friends->enemies->lovers
Sloane and Rowan were best friends growing up, moving away and honesty about feelings created distance and a divide in friendship as well as a broken heart. Years later Sloane checks into a quaint bed and breakfast owned by none other than Rowan. Cute reconnect, and adorable story ending with a happily ever after!
December 10, 2020
I laughed... I cried.
I really enjoyed this book. Good character development. Great storyline. It's a romance story birthed by forgiveness and grace. I loved the little girl , Abigail.
I really enjoyed this book. Good character development. Great storyline. It's a romance story birthed by forgiveness and grace. I loved the little girl , Abigail.
December 12, 2020
Predictable and delightful
Really enjoyed reading this book. It is well-written with just enough suspense to keep your interest and helps get you in the Christmas spirit. Enjoyed all the characters.
Really enjoyed reading this book. It is well-written with just enough suspense to keep your interest and helps get you in the Christmas spirit. Enjoyed all the characters.
May 3, 2021
Sweet,emotional
I really enjoyed this book. The books I’ve read from this author are always filled with angst,humor, laughter and love. This one was no exception. Unless you’re a punctuation snob or upset by a couple of letters left out by editors you will love it too I think.
I really enjoyed this book. The books I’ve read from this author are always filled with angst,humor, laughter and love. This one was no exception. Unless you’re a punctuation snob or upset by a couple of letters left out by editors you will love it too I think.
December 3, 2021
Best friends
Tis the season for reconnecting and this story has you feeling the vib between Sloan and Rowan . A warm and delightful book that pulls you in . Just the kind of book I was looking for . Can't wait to read the next story .
Tis the season for reconnecting and this story has you feeling the vib between Sloan and Rowan . A warm and delightful book that pulls you in . Just the kind of book I was looking for . Can't wait to read the next story .
December 14, 2021
This was a very quick read despite it looking like it took me a week. (I just didn’t read for a few days.) This book was what I expected - a light hallmark style story with all the happy endings. I actually kept picturing it playing out like a cheesy movie.
November 15, 2022
Terrific Holiday Read
I laughed, I cried and chortled through more...what a delightful holiday story. Emily Child's certainly knows how to warm our hearts over Christmas and second chances!
I laughed, I cried and chortled through more...what a delightful holiday story. Emily Child's certainly knows how to warm our hearts over Christmas and second chances!
November 23, 2023
I loved this story. The characters seemed so real and they made you want them to have their happy ever after. I would recommend it as a good holiday book to get you in the spirit. So curl up with a cup of tea or hot chocolate and a warm blanket and enjoy!
December 27, 2023
This was a cute reunited lovers story featuring a sweet kid. It was a quick read and I easily fell into it, though I did think it was a little too neatly wrapped up in the end. Very Hallmark movie-esque.
Rating: 3.75
Rating: 3.75
December 3, 2024
This is what I’d call a holiday Hallmark classic in book form. I’m not sure if this has actually been made into a movie but it probably has. A very cutesy short read. The characters are simple and the storyline is pretty predictable. It’s a basic holiday love story.
January 14, 2025
Cute and cozy
What a cute and cozy story. I love second chance romance and Childs did such a great job with it. I'm normally a spicy book girlie but Sloane and Rowan's story was so cute it didn't need all that spice. There was kissing and that was it.
Very beautiful story.
What a cute and cozy story. I love second chance romance and Childs did such a great job with it. I'm normally a spicy book girlie but Sloane and Rowan's story was so cute it didn't need all that spice. There was kissing and that was it.
Very beautiful story.
December 9, 2020
Good Christmas read
Nice and no too sugary. I liked the characters and I felt like I was in Vermont where I used to go to ski resorts like the places in the stories.
Nice and no too sugary. I liked the characters and I felt like I was in Vermont where I used to go to ski resorts like the places in the stories.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews