An Unexpected Gift

by Kate Pearce

*Previously appeared in the anthology A Season to Celebrate
 
From New York Times bestselling author Kate Pearce comes a tale of love and second chances that will warm your heart for the holidays . . .
 
Widower Billy Morgan can’t help wishing his grown children still needed him. Good thing his longtime friend, Bella Williams, still does. She’s planning her son’s Christmas wedding and Billy is more than happy to help. Along the way they just might discover they have even more in common than they thought—and find their own occasion to celebrate . . .
 

 

Genres: Romance

103 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 27, 2020

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kate Pearce was born in England in the middle of a large family of girls and quickly found that her imagination was far more interesting than real life. After acquiring a degree in history and barely escaping from the British Civil Service alive, she moved to California and then to Hawaii with her kids and her husband and set about reinventing herself as a romance writer.

She is known for both her unconventional heroes and her joy at subverting romance clichés. In her spare time she self publishes science fiction erotic romance, historical romance, and whatever else she can imagine. You can find Kate on katepearce.com.

Reviews

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet quick read and addition to the Morgan Ranch series. So nice to see Billy Morgan, the father, finally find his HEA with Bella.

[Susan in NC · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars, which on my personal scale is okay-plus. This was a simple, sweet, feel-good Christmas romance between two middle-aged friends who’ve known each other since kindergarten. I read it for the Book for All Seasons group’s “A Fork in the Road” challenge to read and review a book different from the author’s usual style.

In all fairness, this book may not be a perfect candidate, as the author apparently has written modern American-set romances extensively under this name. I didn’t know that, and was only familiar with her through her Kurland St. Mary historical mysteries set in Regency England written under the name Catherine Lloyd.

Despite her sizable backlist of cowboy-themed romances, this was definitely a departure from the formality of life in the rural English village of Kurland St. Mary that I thought of as this author’s milieu.

Here, the story takes place in present-day rural California, Billy Morgan owns a dude ranch, and Bella owns a bar in town. Both are widowed, in their fifties, have grown children - this novella was part of a Christmas-themed story collection, and clearly part of a series. As is usual in any series, there are recurring characters fans will probably be familiar with from previous books. I did not have a hard time keeping track of who was who, but I doubt I would seek out other books from the series. This was a sweet love story between two mature characters, nice to read for a change, but not really enough to draw me back. Interesting easy read for a rainy afternoon, and very different from what I’ve previously read from this author.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Widower Billy Morgan has returned after years away & wishes his grown children still needed him. Good thing his long time friend, Bella, does. She’s planning a Christmas celebration for her son’s wedding as he married in Vegas. Billy is more than happy to help. If you love the Morgan boys then you won’t want to miss this delightful short story. Billy & Bella have been friends for decades but things change after a thank you kiss. Well written, great characters, well paced everything I expect, it was different in that Billy & Bella are in their 50’s with grown children.

[Rosie Trzewik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet quick read starring Billy Morgan. The runaway dad that after years away came back home to his children. Trying to fit in again after all the years away, he helps out his childhood friend Bella who is short staffed at the bar. Both widowed and maybe just a bit lonely find out that old friends can develop into more.

[Judy Churchill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet but fairly simple.

[Jennifer Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a short novella in the Morgan Ranch series. Billy Morgan returned to the ranch, after leaving his sons in the care of his mother years ago when his wife and daughter was murdered. He feels like he’s still trying to make it up to everyone. His best friend from kindergarten, Bella, owns the local bar, the Red Dragon. When he comes to deliver a letter misplaced in his mailbox, he saves her from someone harassing her, then helps in the kitchen, as she’s short handed. Then, she kisses him, as a thank you for his help, and theirs sparks. Can they be more than friends?

This was a lovely short story. Bella and Billy are wonderful characters, and though the book is short, it doesn’t take away from their story.

[Marti · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Unexpected Gift by Kate Pearce was a wonderful novella that was found at the end of the novel The Rancher’s Redemption. The novella was an “unexpected gift” of a read! The book focuses on Billy Morgan and his friend Bella.

Billy came upon a situation where Bella was being harrassed by an ex employee. He immediately helped her and ended up helping her in her kitchen for the lunch rush. Bella was surprised by Billy’s help and surprised by her feelings for Billy. Billy has made so many mistakes in his life, he is reticent to make another and hurt another person. An Unexpected Gift by Kate Pearce is a wonderful novella that will hit your heart for a second chance at love!

[Linda]

This is a cute short story telling the story about Billy Morgan and Bella Williams. They both have raised their families and are now widowed and alone but they did not have to be. Friendship is how they started and now they are in a relationship. Billy has had a hard time feeling like he belongs in his own family because he left his five kids in the hands of his mother and took off on his own. He did make it back but now feels like he owes them something and wants to help his sons at the ranch. Bella helps her son at the bar with the kitchen and she is good at what she does but feels a longing to be with someone. Cute story.

[Christina Montminy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great story from author Kate Pearce in the Morgan Valley Series. I love this series, it's got everything in it....drama, intrigue, chemistry & love. We've watched Billy come back to the Morgan Ranch & make amends for all his past mistakes. He's quiet & reserved & a former alcoholic who finally gets a second chance at happiness. Bella has been a wonderful character in this series, the strong, intelligent, spunky mother of Jay Williams. We get to see Bella & Billy each get a second chance at love & happiness. We also get to see all our favourite Morgan Valley residents at Jay & Erin's surprise party to celebrate their recent marriage. Definitely recommend to read.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

An unexpected bonus at the end of The Rancher's Redemption this novella is the story of Billy Morgan's second chance at romance. We meet Billy in the Morgan Ranch series as the absentee father who came back to redeem himself. Bella runs the Red Dragon and has known Billy since kindergarten so she knew all along that he couldn't have hurt his wife. And when he comes to her rescue and helps her in the kitchen feelings start to unfold. Who says people in their fifties aren't entire to second chances and finding someone to love?

[Books Just 4 Me · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet holiday novella! Billy, the widowed, prodigal son, loving father gets his happy ending. Usually I’m not a fan of novellas because they’re too heavy on the unrealistic insta-love. I really enjoyed this one though since Bella and Billy have known each other their whole lives and they’re both older and have raised their families. I’ve read the whole Morgan series so I enjoyed the family dynamics of both the Morgans and Williams. The Morgans always have fun and make you wish you could go visit their Christmasy Victorian ranch!

[Merry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helping out a friend

Just as unsure of things I have done in my life, which were really great mistakes , I was actually accepted back in the family. So when I went to deliver some mail that wasn’t for the ranch, my old friend was dealing with trouble, so in I stepped. Enjoy the read.

[Phoenix · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my first Kate Pearce contemporary since I know her for her historical erotica and this was...meh. I was curious because the MCs were both in their early 50s and it's not common to find mature characters like this so I was curious. It was fine, but I'm glad it was a novella because it would have otherwise been a DNF.

Dec/21: I Smell Snow square of Banging through the Snow Bingo

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this felt very short, I very much enjoyed this special second chance between fifty something Billy and Bella. Both had lost their spouses many years before, but now he was helping her at her bar and planning a big reception for her son and his new wife. I really enjoyed how it was written with sensitivity and forgiveness. Another fine story for the holidays!

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rare gift to senior readers, Billy Morgan and Bella Williams get a second chance at love. Having known each other since kindergarten, both had loved their spouses and have lived a long time without them. So it is very sweet that they find it again with each other.

[JoAnn Schaltenbrand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading

Enjoyed reading about Billy and Bella. He returned to his ranch that his Mom and boys are managing so he is not sure where he belongs. He helps Bella at her restaurant because she is short handed so Billy helps and he feel hope.

[Winona Fowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best gifts are unexpected

Billy is a loose ends at the family ranch. He accidentally stumbles onto a threatening scene involving an old friend, Bella. He steps in to her defense and finds a gift worth accepting.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another light and fluffy storyline but nice.

[Margaret Yelton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cute little Novella is about Billy and Bella, long time friends who both have loved and had grown children. I enjoy reading stories with older people that find another love after many years.

[Maureen Hubley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great novella. New author for me.

[Jessie Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

short story

Billy and Bella’s short story is really good. The Morgan’s are quite tight knit and the dialogues and reactions were hilarious. Good read

[Apryl Teather · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't get into this one. I thought it was poorly written.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a cute read. I wasn’t in love with it like I have been all the other Kate Pearce (Morgan Valley) that I have read but it was still good

[Merle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice novella, where Billy Morgan, father of Chase, Blue, etc., rekindles an old friendship with Bella Williams, owner of the combined bar and cafe in town. Billy is still unsure of his place at Morgan Ranch, since his sons have come home and revived it into a tourist and guest ranch experience. He is a cook, but doesn't cook at the ranch. When Bella needs help one day, Billy steps in. They find themselves comfortable together, and begin to explore a relationship. Bella has been a widow for many years, and is unsure at first. Billy steps back, but eventually, his sweet nature convinces Bella to take a chance on him. A party for Jay and Erin becomes the backdrop for Billy's happy ending, too. Funny scene: when Chase and BB walk in on Billy and Bella - more than once.

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice short story