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Celebration at Christmas Cove
In this humorous and heartwarming romance, sparks fly between a woman who can't wait to leave a wintry New England island, and a widower who would do anything to stay.
Travel magazine writer Celeste Bell is in a terrible mood. Not only was her flight to the Caribbean diverted to a Massachusetts island, now it looks like she'll have to spend Christmas there. Single and still mourning the loss of her mother a year earlier, Celeste is desperate to avoid any emotional entanglements and all holiday festivities. She just doesn't feel like celebrating.
But that's exactly what community center director Nathan White and his young daughter Abigail want to do. Nathan is entirely focused on making sure that his daughter has a happy Christmas, especially with the knowledge that if he can't raise money for the community center soon, it will close and they'll have to leave the island. When he meets Celeste, Nathan begins to feel a connection and wonders if he's brave enough to risk his heart once more.
Thawing their frozen hearts, and saving the community center will require a Christmas miracle. But tis' the season...
Travel magazine writer Celeste Bell is in a terrible mood. Not only was her flight to the Caribbean diverted to a Massachusetts island, now it looks like she'll have to spend Christmas there. Single and still mourning the loss of her mother a year earlier, Celeste is desperate to avoid any emotional entanglements and all holiday festivities. She just doesn't feel like celebrating.
But that's exactly what community center director Nathan White and his young daughter Abigail want to do. Nathan is entirely focused on making sure that his daughter has a happy Christmas, especially with the knowledge that if he can't raise money for the community center soon, it will close and they'll have to leave the island. When he meets Celeste, Nathan begins to feel a connection and wonders if he's brave enough to risk his heart once more.
Thawing their frozen hearts, and saving the community center will require a Christmas miracle. But tis' the season...
304 pages, Paperback
Published October 26, 2021
18 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
December 20, 2022
Celebration at Christmas Cove takes place on a Massachusetts island, imagine being single, having to travel for work and being stranded there at Christmas time. The description of this New England Island sounds delightful, the islanders are in full Christmas spirit with decorating and baking and eagerly welcome in Travel magazine writer Celeste Bell . Her travel plans were not what she expected after she missed her flight and had to be diverted to the island. There are some humorous moments as one thing after another prevents her from getting off the island and traveling to the sun-drenched Caribbean, from terrible weather to the pilot getting food poisoning the delays just keep stacking up. The longer she's there the more she starts enjoying herself and getting acclimated to her surroundings, especially community center director Nathan White and his young daughter Abigail. They just seem to turn up everywhere. Throw in her very unreasonable boss who is not the least bit interested in why she's being delayed from her job, he just needs her there now!
Will there be a Merry and Bright Christmas when this charming and scenic New England Island sees more than its fair share of snow with a travel agent seeming to be enjoying her island delay more than she wants to admit? Fun premise for a holiday book.
Pub Date 26 Oct 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
Will there be a Merry and Bright Christmas when this charming and scenic New England Island sees more than its fair share of snow with a travel agent seeming to be enjoying her island delay more than she wants to admit? Fun premise for a holiday book.
Pub Date 26 Oct 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
October 24, 2021
Celeste is a writer for a prestigious travel magazine. She's trying to reach her assignment, reporting on a Christmas festival in the Caribbean, but she has a series of mishaps. Celeste does not want to spend Christmas at home after the death of her mother just before Christmas the year before. She volunteered for the assignment rolling in a few days of vacation. First, she is bumped from her flight, then she takes a prop plane to Sea Spray Island to catch a connecting flight to New York ten down to the Caribbean, but weather has other ideas. She has one goal once she lands and that is to leave! Mishaps pile up and she continues to be stranded. Will she make it to "the other islands" on time to write the story about the festival?
Nathan White is on the prop plane with her. He is the manager of the local community center and is trying to get grants to keep it open. He is a single dad to Abigail (Abby) and brother to the owner of the local Inn. If he can't secure funding, the center will close and he and Abby will have to move to Boston, where Nathan has been offered a job. He sets Celeste up at his sister's Inn and Abby becomes her personal tour guide. It doesn't take long for Celeste to begin to enjoy all the Christmas Events set up by the community center staff and volunteers. It also doesn't take long for her to fall in love with Sea Spray Island.
Celebration at Christmas Cove by Carrie Jansen is a sweet, holiday romance that has everything I have grown to love in these stories. We have a protagonist that dislikes Christmas due to events in her past, a small town that goes crazy for Christmas, a single dad with an absolutely adorable child, lots of fun and silly Christmas Activities, some quirky characters, small town gossip and everyone trying to push the two of them together. There is some angst due to misunderstandings and lack of communication and two people who are afraid to tell the other how they fell. I loved the setting of an island cut off from everyone during a storm and the camaraderie of the town pulling together. Throw in a last minute solution to problems and this was an all round winner. I would love to see this one made into a movie. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.
Nathan White is on the prop plane with her. He is the manager of the local community center and is trying to get grants to keep it open. He is a single dad to Abigail (Abby) and brother to the owner of the local Inn. If he can't secure funding, the center will close and he and Abby will have to move to Boston, where Nathan has been offered a job. He sets Celeste up at his sister's Inn and Abby becomes her personal tour guide. It doesn't take long for Celeste to begin to enjoy all the Christmas Events set up by the community center staff and volunteers. It also doesn't take long for her to fall in love with Sea Spray Island.
Celebration at Christmas Cove by Carrie Jansen is a sweet, holiday romance that has everything I have grown to love in these stories. We have a protagonist that dislikes Christmas due to events in her past, a small town that goes crazy for Christmas, a single dad with an absolutely adorable child, lots of fun and silly Christmas Activities, some quirky characters, small town gossip and everyone trying to push the two of them together. There is some angst due to misunderstandings and lack of communication and two people who are afraid to tell the other how they fell. I loved the setting of an island cut off from everyone during a storm and the camaraderie of the town pulling together. Throw in a last minute solution to problems and this was an all round winner. I would love to see this one made into a movie. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.
December 11, 2021
Everything goes wrong for travel writer Celeste, dreading Christmas and angry because her plane’s been diverted to Massachusetts — far from the Caribbean vacation she’d planned.
Then there’s Nathan, a widower who wants to make Christmas extra special for daughter Abigail, still grieving her mother lost a year earlier. He also fears losing his job and being forced to leave the island he loves.
This is such a warm and redemptive holiday tale perfect for lovers of clean romance. Grab a cup of steaming cocoa, a plate of Christmas cookies, and head to your comfy chair for hours of happy reading by the fire. Enjoy!
Available now.
Thanks to the author, Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.
#CelebrationatChristmasCove #NetGalley
Then there’s Nathan, a widower who wants to make Christmas extra special for daughter Abigail, still grieving her mother lost a year earlier. He also fears losing his job and being forced to leave the island he loves.
This is such a warm and redemptive holiday tale perfect for lovers of clean romance. Grab a cup of steaming cocoa, a plate of Christmas cookies, and head to your comfy chair for hours of happy reading by the fire. Enjoy!
Available now.
Thanks to the author, Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.
#CelebrationatChristmasCove #NetGalley
October 27, 2021
From the idyllic Sea Spray Island setting to its eccentric (and endearing) population, I was captivated by this community from the moment we landed at the airport with Celeste & Nathan. I could easily visualize the dynamics of a town that temporarily changes its name every year to Christmas Cove, and I got a kick out of the hodge podge mix of characters we meet during Celeste’s extended stay. I especially loved the characters who were staying at or directly connected to Nathan’s sister’s inn. They add the right amount of humor or wisdom, depending on what the situation calls for, and set the tone for the town’s personality.
Celeste takes a bit of warming up to but, when we learn that she is still deeply grieving the loss of her mother & Christmases past, we are able to see her brusque attitude in a different light. Especially as she is stuck on an island where Christmas is literally around every corner. Nathan has his own layers to unpack, and it’s not too long before readers can see how good they are for each other. Their blossoming friendship is sweet and sincere, particularly the scenes with Nathan’s precocious daughter, and I really appreciated their respective growth as the novel progressed.
Bottom Line: Celebration at Christmas Cove by Carrie Jansen is everything lovely about Christmas romances. Sweet and heartwarming with well-timed wit, this novel solidly kicks off a new series full of characters that readers will care about. Celeste & Nathan are layered and relatable protagonists, and I was cheering for their individual growth and their happily ever after. The gentle pace adds to the overall cozy vibes of the story, ideal for the busy holiday season. Looking forward to more visits to Sea Spray Island!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
Celeste takes a bit of warming up to but, when we learn that she is still deeply grieving the loss of her mother & Christmases past, we are able to see her brusque attitude in a different light. Especially as she is stuck on an island where Christmas is literally around every corner. Nathan has his own layers to unpack, and it’s not too long before readers can see how good they are for each other. Their blossoming friendship is sweet and sincere, particularly the scenes with Nathan’s precocious daughter, and I really appreciated their respective growth as the novel progressed.
Bottom Line: Celebration at Christmas Cove by Carrie Jansen is everything lovely about Christmas romances. Sweet and heartwarming with well-timed wit, this novel solidly kicks off a new series full of characters that readers will care about. Celeste & Nathan are layered and relatable protagonists, and I was cheering for their individual growth and their happily ever after. The gentle pace adds to the overall cozy vibes of the story, ideal for the busy holiday season. Looking forward to more visits to Sea Spray Island!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
November 12, 2021
The premise of this book is a travel writer ends up being rerouted through an island town in Massachusetts on her way to do a story in the Caribbean right before Christmas. While frantically trying to get off the island to get to her job mainly because of her boss who needed an attitude adjustment, she falls in love with the town, its people, and even with Christmas again.
This book was far too slow, there were wonderful parts that I adored but grew weary of Celeste’s need to rebook her travel when it was clear she wasn’t going anywhere during a storm, her hate of Christmas when it had always been a special time for her and her late mother, and her general attitude especially at the beginning of the book. The problem was Nathan wasn’t much better, facing the community center he was the director of closing down due to lack of funding and being down to the wire looking for funding elsewhere instead of asking for help he took it all on himself thus becoming a grumpy jerk on several occasions in this book. I believe it was the stress because he seemed like a genuinely nice man, but the fact he didn’t even realize he was hurting his daughter’s feelings when all he talked about was making sure she was happy following his wife’s death three years prior, it just seemed out of place. Both the main characters stressing out about work obligations for the majority of the book just put a huge damper on it, and while there was some fun there wasn’t enough to make me love this book.
This book read exactly like a made for TV holiday movie including the fact that they barely kissed in the book but had all these feelings when honestly they didn’t spend enough time together to really know each other.
What shined were the people of the town the way they were woven throughout this story and the mysterious (or not so for me as I figured that part out early on) Arthur. I loved the description of the town, it felt magical unfortunately the story didn’t live up to that magic.
Celebration at Christmas Cove wasn’t the joyous holiday story I was expecting which was disappointing.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
This book was far too slow, there were wonderful parts that I adored but grew weary of Celeste’s need to rebook her travel when it was clear she wasn’t going anywhere during a storm, her hate of Christmas when it had always been a special time for her and her late mother, and her general attitude especially at the beginning of the book. The problem was Nathan wasn’t much better, facing the community center he was the director of closing down due to lack of funding and being down to the wire looking for funding elsewhere instead of asking for help he took it all on himself thus becoming a grumpy jerk on several occasions in this book. I believe it was the stress because he seemed like a genuinely nice man, but the fact he didn’t even realize he was hurting his daughter’s feelings when all he talked about was making sure she was happy following his wife’s death three years prior, it just seemed out of place. Both the main characters stressing out about work obligations for the majority of the book just put a huge damper on it, and while there was some fun there wasn’t enough to make me love this book.
This book read exactly like a made for TV holiday movie including the fact that they barely kissed in the book but had all these feelings when honestly they didn’t spend enough time together to really know each other.
What shined were the people of the town the way they were woven throughout this story and the mysterious (or not so for me as I figured that part out early on) Arthur. I loved the description of the town, it felt magical unfortunately the story didn’t live up to that magic.
Celebration at Christmas Cove wasn’t the joyous holiday story I was expecting which was disappointing.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
December 3, 2021
We meet Celeste Bell when she discovers she has missed her flight to the Caribbean. It’s a few days before Christmas where she will do a piece on the Festival of Lights. At the same time we meet, community center director Nathan White, who is in New York to learn his community center was not the recipient of a donation they desperately needed for operating expenses. The two end up on the same flight to Christmas Cove. He will be home but is determined to keep the bad news from the community until after the holidays. She expects to hop another plane which will ultimately get her to her destination. A snowstorm & high winds have other ideas and she finds herself stranded on the little island off the New England coast.
This was a sweet, feel good “Hallmark” romance from the events at the community center to acts of kindness and everything in-between. Can the city girl who just wants to skip Christmas find happiness and more?
I loved everything about Christmas Cove from the quaint bed-and-breakfast to the community center and its fun activities. Secondary characters added interest and made me curious about their stories. Nathan & his daughter Abigail will steal your heart as did the story of the other guest at the inn. Small-town charm from the quirky agent at the airport to the gals at the center made me feel right at home. You’ll soon want to plan a trip.
The romance was sweet and their feelings felt genuine. Since both were likable, realistic characters, I hoped for a happily-ever-after. The story would make a lovely Hallmark Christmas movie. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
This was a sweet, feel good “Hallmark” romance from the events at the community center to acts of kindness and everything in-between. Can the city girl who just wants to skip Christmas find happiness and more?
I loved everything about Christmas Cove from the quaint bed-and-breakfast to the community center and its fun activities. Secondary characters added interest and made me curious about their stories. Nathan & his daughter Abigail will steal your heart as did the story of the other guest at the inn. Small-town charm from the quirky agent at the airport to the gals at the center made me feel right at home. You’ll soon want to plan a trip.
The romance was sweet and their feelings felt genuine. Since both were likable, realistic characters, I hoped for a happily-ever-after. The story would make a lovely Hallmark Christmas movie. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
December 12, 2024
3.75⭐️ This was such a cute book!! A little cheesy and predictable (don’t get me started about it being third person) but the perfect cozy Christmas book💞
October 19, 2022
A cute Christmas story that showed a lovely community celebrating the holiday in a way that most of us would love to be a part of!! 🌲
October 29, 2021
Copy received via Netgalley for an honest review
I love the fish out of water trope, and add in Christmas and I am all giddy for it.
I liked seeing Celeste change, and watching her relax from her go-go-go lifestyle.
I liked seeing her priorities change.
I liked seeing her come to love the holidays again.
I loved seeing her take back control of her work/life balance.
I loved watching her fall in love.
Nathan will grab a hold of your heart and won't let go.
Celebration at Christmas Cove was flirty and fun and and easy enjoyable read (with a bit of heartache thrown in there)
I love the fish out of water trope, and add in Christmas and I am all giddy for it.
I liked seeing Celeste change, and watching her relax from her go-go-go lifestyle.
I liked seeing her priorities change.
I liked seeing her come to love the holidays again.
I loved seeing her take back control of her work/life balance.
I loved watching her fall in love.
Nathan will grab a hold of your heart and won't let go.
Celebration at Christmas Cove was flirty and fun and and easy enjoyable read (with a bit of heartache thrown in there)
October 31, 2021
Celebration at Christmas Cove, written by Carrie Jensen, takes flight from the beginning. The plot is gripping, the island is charming, and the individuals are fascinating.
Celeste Bell, a travel journalist for a magazine, was looking forward to a trip to the Caribbean at Christmas time. Due to a series of unforeseen delays, she was rerouted to Sea Spray Island. She, however, is not looking forward to Christmas.
Nathan White, the director of the community center on Sea Spray Island, and his daughter, Abigail, are focused on Christmas for two quite different reasons.
Minor characters in the story were just as enjoyable as the main characters to me. They were charming, amusing (and in some cases, delightfully funny) people who cared about others.
The romance doesn’t start right out of the gate. On the other hand, the pacing is ideal for the narrative.
I really liked the book and would love to live in a community like Sea Spray Island.
Celebration at Christmas Cove is a sweet, wholesome Hallmark-style romance full of holiday cheer, hope and optimism. It's the ideal book for curling up next to a fireplace with your favorite beverage and a warm, snuggly blanket while losing yourself in the story for an afternoon.
I received an advance review copy of this book from NetGalley and Berkley Trade Paperback Original. All opinions are my own and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
Celeste Bell, a travel journalist for a magazine, was looking forward to a trip to the Caribbean at Christmas time. Due to a series of unforeseen delays, she was rerouted to Sea Spray Island. She, however, is not looking forward to Christmas.
Nathan White, the director of the community center on Sea Spray Island, and his daughter, Abigail, are focused on Christmas for two quite different reasons.
Minor characters in the story were just as enjoyable as the main characters to me. They were charming, amusing (and in some cases, delightfully funny) people who cared about others.
The romance doesn’t start right out of the gate. On the other hand, the pacing is ideal for the narrative.
I really liked the book and would love to live in a community like Sea Spray Island.
Celebration at Christmas Cove is a sweet, wholesome Hallmark-style romance full of holiday cheer, hope and optimism. It's the ideal book for curling up next to a fireplace with your favorite beverage and a warm, snuggly blanket while losing yourself in the story for an afternoon.
I received an advance review copy of this book from NetGalley and Berkley Trade Paperback Original. All opinions are my own and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
November 9, 2021
BOOK REVIEW: Celebration At Christmas Cove by Carrie Jansen
Series: A Sea Spray Island Romance | Book 1
Most Anticipated Books of 2021
Everything I am looking for in a Christmas themed book! Great characters, great setting, great community, great holiday events, great romance theme... And a fabulous "young girl on the rise" character that I will love forever!... ✨😎✨
Pages: 304
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sub-Genre: Christmas Romance
Time Period: Contemporary
Location: Massachusetts
IF YOU LIKE THIS BOOK THEN TRY…
Book: Dear Santa by Debbie Macomber
Movie: Four Christmases
--------------------
All my reviews can be seen at This Is My Everybody | Books, Lifestyle & Home Ideas for Simple Living | Denise Wilbanks at www.thisismyeverybody.com
♡ Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.
Series: A Sea Spray Island Romance | Book 1
Most Anticipated Books of 2021
Everything I am looking for in a Christmas themed book! Great characters, great setting, great community, great holiday events, great romance theme... And a fabulous "young girl on the rise" character that I will love forever!... ✨😎✨
Pages: 304
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sub-Genre: Christmas Romance
Time Period: Contemporary
Location: Massachusetts
IF YOU LIKE THIS BOOK THEN TRY…
Book: Dear Santa by Debbie Macomber
Movie: Four Christmases
--------------------
All my reviews can be seen at This Is My Everybody | Books, Lifestyle & Home Ideas for Simple Living | Denise Wilbanks at www.thisismyeverybody.com
♡ Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.
October 10, 2021
This is a sweet, heartwarming story with a delightful cast of characters. Sea Spray Island is a cute Christmas-obsessed town, and I liked how it helped Celeste transform from an unhappy woman to a well-rounded, likeable heroine. She's a bit challenging to root for at the beginning, but her encounter with Nathan, his daughter and the rest of the people on the island give her the strength and motivation to re-evaluate her career goals. I really liked Nathan as a hero, particularly his loyalty to family and commitment to the island community.
Celebration at Christmas Cove is the perfect read for fans of wholesome romance with a generous dose of holiday spirit.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions shared here are my own.
Celebration at Christmas Cove is the perfect read for fans of wholesome romance with a generous dose of holiday spirit.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions shared here are my own.
November 11, 2021
Digital galley courtesy of Berkley and NetGalley in exchange for my review.
Imagine the disappointment when travel writer Celeste’s flight plans to the Caribbean are changed at the last minute and she’s rerouted to a small Massachusetts island. When weather prevents her from getting off the island she’s forced to rethink and accept her situation.
Nathan is the director of the island activity center that is days away of losing its funding. He feels the incredible stress of letting the community down as he applies for grant after grant. If he can’t pull something together the center will close and he and his daughter will have to move.
Celeste and Nathan are not looking for a relationship but, as happens in a Christmas romance/women’s fiction, fate has other ideas. Carrie Jansen added several supporting characters who enhanced the novel. I loved the New England island setting. Despite feeling a bit of lag in pace in the middle, overall I enjoyed the novel and recommend to fans of Christmas novels.
Imagine the disappointment when travel writer Celeste’s flight plans to the Caribbean are changed at the last minute and she’s rerouted to a small Massachusetts island. When weather prevents her from getting off the island she’s forced to rethink and accept her situation.
Nathan is the director of the island activity center that is days away of losing its funding. He feels the incredible stress of letting the community down as he applies for grant after grant. If he can’t pull something together the center will close and he and his daughter will have to move.
Celeste and Nathan are not looking for a relationship but, as happens in a Christmas romance/women’s fiction, fate has other ideas. Carrie Jansen added several supporting characters who enhanced the novel. I loved the New England island setting. Despite feeling a bit of lag in pace in the middle, overall I enjoyed the novel and recommend to fans of Christmas novels.
August 24, 2021
My thoughts: this is so sweet, clean romance set in an New England Island community at Christmas. The residents go all out celebrating this Holiday season and have some really fun sounding activities going on. There's even some guests on the island although one might be there under duress. Still the community welcome to them and invites them to join in, forging a relationship with the reader that makes them feel as if they were part of the community as well. The story was slow, but engaging, and I didn't want to put it down. In fact I wanted to continue on and find out more about this community and its residents. If you're looking for a good Christmas read for this holiday season, you will want to read this book. Highly recommended. I was given a copy free and all opinions are my own.
February 2, 2022
DNF at 30%. I wanted to like this one, but it just struggled to hold my interest. It reminded me so much of a Hallmark Christmas movie which I love, but a third of the way into the book I still couldn’t connect with the characters or the romance. I loved the setting of Sea Spray Island and the community center, but despite that this book just wasn’t for me.
Thank you to @berkleyromance and @netgalley for the gifted copy.
Thank you to @berkleyromance and @netgalley for the gifted copy.
December 9, 2024
So cute! Exactly what I was looking for a fluffy Christmas romance
October 15, 2021
Celeste is a travel writer for a prestigious magazine. She's trying to reach her assignment, reporting on a Christmas festival in the Caribbean, but a comedy of mishaps traps her on a small island off the New England coast. There, she is drawn in by the cheerful townspeople and in particular, a hapless widower with a precocious young daughter. As Celeste and Nathan fight various obstacles, the charming little town works its magic. Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.
April 6, 2023
https://openbooksociety.com/article/c...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
Celebration at Christmas Cove is a delightful romance that will get you primed for some holiday fun. As an introduction to the writing of Carrie Jansen, I am happy to report that I was immediately immersed in her story telling and delighted as to how the story unfolded (and ended ☺).
Celeste Bell – one of the main protagonists – is a travel writer, without family and /or loved ones that she wishes to be with over the holiday season. In fact, we learn that Celeste’s mother passed away just before Christmas the prior year – so you know this holiday will be very hard for her. Celeste is so looking forward to her winter writing assignment about the Christmas Carnival in the Caribbean… at least until she was bumped from her flight… and then decided to take a flight to the Caribbean with a brief layover on Sea Spray Island. When she took this route – little did she know that her plans would be royally foiled! Of course – plans are made to be disrupted and as it happens – the brief layover on Sea Spray Island turns out to be anything but brief. Here Celeste meets Nathan – the brother of the innkeeper where Celeste is staying while being grounded due to weather.
Nathan White runs the community center, which may or may not have to close after the current year due to funding issues. So of course, Nathan is focused on getting more funding AND making this Christmas the best for his daughter Abigail in the event that this is their last Christmas on the Island. And of curse – Nathan is also on the shy side when it comes to romance. There is a past…which the reader will find out about!
Needless to say, being a romance novel, Celeste and Nathan meet and … of course they are attracted to each other. And they have more than just romance…Celeste can help with Nathan’s challenges in garnering funding to keep the community centre open past the new year.
I really enjoyed the slow”ish” progression of the romance. It seemed that both Celeste and Nathan were careful and focused on the intricacies of a relationship with a child involved – for which I am very happy.
Also – this is a new arena for Nathan as he is a widower and finds dating hard to navigate, especially with a young child. The small town feel and closeness of the island inhabitants also gave the story a “warm” vibe – at least for me. The celebrations that happen on the island are so island inhabitant centric – bringing a close knit vibe to the story.
At first, I was wondering why the main female protagonist was such a grump towards the holiday season, but when I learned that she had only lost her mum a year ago and that she had no one else to share the holidays with – I understood. It did take her a wee bit to soften up towards the quaint town on the island. Luckily, there were some chuckle worthy moments while Celeste was getting comfortable on the island. I enjoyed wading through her stuff and seeing her transformation into the softer version of Celeste.
There are a number of other characters which truly make this story well rounded and interesting. For one – the other inhabitant of the B&B that Nathan’s sister and brother-in-law own. His story is interesting and crucial to the storyline! And let us not forget Nathan’s sister
If you are a fan of romance, especially during the holiday season then I suggest picking up this book and giving it a read. You will not regret the time spent on Sea Spray Island. I know I will be on the look out for more titles by Carrie Jansen.
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
Celebration at Christmas Cove is a delightful romance that will get you primed for some holiday fun. As an introduction to the writing of Carrie Jansen, I am happy to report that I was immediately immersed in her story telling and delighted as to how the story unfolded (and ended ☺).
Celeste Bell – one of the main protagonists – is a travel writer, without family and /or loved ones that she wishes to be with over the holiday season. In fact, we learn that Celeste’s mother passed away just before Christmas the prior year – so you know this holiday will be very hard for her. Celeste is so looking forward to her winter writing assignment about the Christmas Carnival in the Caribbean… at least until she was bumped from her flight… and then decided to take a flight to the Caribbean with a brief layover on Sea Spray Island. When she took this route – little did she know that her plans would be royally foiled! Of course – plans are made to be disrupted and as it happens – the brief layover on Sea Spray Island turns out to be anything but brief. Here Celeste meets Nathan – the brother of the innkeeper where Celeste is staying while being grounded due to weather.
Nathan White runs the community center, which may or may not have to close after the current year due to funding issues. So of course, Nathan is focused on getting more funding AND making this Christmas the best for his daughter Abigail in the event that this is their last Christmas on the Island. And of curse – Nathan is also on the shy side when it comes to romance. There is a past…which the reader will find out about!
Needless to say, being a romance novel, Celeste and Nathan meet and … of course they are attracted to each other. And they have more than just romance…Celeste can help with Nathan’s challenges in garnering funding to keep the community centre open past the new year.
I really enjoyed the slow”ish” progression of the romance. It seemed that both Celeste and Nathan were careful and focused on the intricacies of a relationship with a child involved – for which I am very happy.
Also – this is a new arena for Nathan as he is a widower and finds dating hard to navigate, especially with a young child. The small town feel and closeness of the island inhabitants also gave the story a “warm” vibe – at least for me. The celebrations that happen on the island are so island inhabitant centric – bringing a close knit vibe to the story.
At first, I was wondering why the main female protagonist was such a grump towards the holiday season, but when I learned that she had only lost her mum a year ago and that she had no one else to share the holidays with – I understood. It did take her a wee bit to soften up towards the quaint town on the island. Luckily, there were some chuckle worthy moments while Celeste was getting comfortable on the island. I enjoyed wading through her stuff and seeing her transformation into the softer version of Celeste.
There are a number of other characters which truly make this story well rounded and interesting. For one – the other inhabitant of the B&B that Nathan’s sister and brother-in-law own. His story is interesting and crucial to the storyline! And let us not forget Nathan’s sister
If you are a fan of romance, especially during the holiday season then I suggest picking up this book and giving it a read. You will not regret the time spent on Sea Spray Island. I know I will be on the look out for more titles by Carrie Jansen.
October 25, 2021
Celebration at Christmas Cove by Carrie Jansen is the first book in her A Sea Spray Island Romance Holiday novel.
Celeste Bell, our heroine, is flying to the Caribbean for business, even though it is close to Christmas. Celest lost her mother a year ago, and has been a workaholic, keeping herself busy; and not caring to celebrate the holiday. Celeste is a travel writer for a magazine, and since she doesn’t care, she accepts an assignment from her abusive boss, as she hopes for a promotion. Her flight is diverted to a small island in Massachusetts.
Nathan White, our hero, is on his way back home to Sea Spray Island, after failing to get funding for the town’s Community Center. Nathan is a single dad, having lost his wife a few years ago, and has a wonderful teenage daughter, Abigail. Nathan meets Celeste, and though she stubbornly wants to get another flight to the Caribbean, he tries to tell her she is stuck on the island for a day or two. He brings her to his sister’s inn for her to stay until things open up.
Nathan is determined to try to find funding elsewhere, in order to be able to stay on Sea Spray Island, and keep the community running. He felt a connection to Celeste, but at first she was only pushing to leave the island, despite the terrible storms, which was a bit irritating. I loved the many people on the Island, who were fantastic and fun; Carol (Nathan’s sister, who owns the Inn); Abigail (who was terrific and wanted to keep Celeste in town); Patty (the airport attendant, who was a riot); Arthur (also staying at the Inn, who tried to help Celeste fight her abusive boss).
What follows is an entertaining and engaging story line, with some wonderful characters, and enjoyable Christmas events in the town. At first, I found Celeste annoying, than even Nathan also started to be irritating, so this was a slow burn romance that took a bit longer for the couple to finally come together. Celebration at Christmas Cove was a fun story, very well written by Carrie Jansen. If you enjoy a Christmas feel throughout the book, with cute decorations/events, funny sweaters and cozy socks, then you should read Celebration at Christmas Cove.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
Celeste Bell, our heroine, is flying to the Caribbean for business, even though it is close to Christmas. Celest lost her mother a year ago, and has been a workaholic, keeping herself busy; and not caring to celebrate the holiday. Celeste is a travel writer for a magazine, and since she doesn’t care, she accepts an assignment from her abusive boss, as she hopes for a promotion. Her flight is diverted to a small island in Massachusetts.
Nathan White, our hero, is on his way back home to Sea Spray Island, after failing to get funding for the town’s Community Center. Nathan is a single dad, having lost his wife a few years ago, and has a wonderful teenage daughter, Abigail. Nathan meets Celeste, and though she stubbornly wants to get another flight to the Caribbean, he tries to tell her she is stuck on the island for a day or two. He brings her to his sister’s inn for her to stay until things open up.
Nathan is determined to try to find funding elsewhere, in order to be able to stay on Sea Spray Island, and keep the community running. He felt a connection to Celeste, but at first she was only pushing to leave the island, despite the terrible storms, which was a bit irritating. I loved the many people on the Island, who were fantastic and fun; Carol (Nathan’s sister, who owns the Inn); Abigail (who was terrific and wanted to keep Celeste in town); Patty (the airport attendant, who was a riot); Arthur (also staying at the Inn, who tried to help Celeste fight her abusive boss).
What follows is an entertaining and engaging story line, with some wonderful characters, and enjoyable Christmas events in the town. At first, I found Celeste annoying, than even Nathan also started to be irritating, so this was a slow burn romance that took a bit longer for the couple to finally come together. Celebration at Christmas Cove was a fun story, very well written by Carrie Jansen. If you enjoy a Christmas feel throughout the book, with cute decorations/events, funny sweaters and cozy socks, then you should read Celebration at Christmas Cove.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
September 4, 2021
Celebration at Christmas Cove by Carrie Jansen is a sweet, holiday romance that has everything a holiday romance should have. A heroine who hates Christmas (check), small-town that goes overboard for Christmas (check), single dad with an adorable child who still believes in the magic of Christmas (check), a town full of quirky characters who are trying to set up the two main characters (check).
Celeste Bell is a travel writer for a prestigious travel magazine and is headed to the Caribbean to cover the festival over Christmas. She volunteered for the assignment because after losing her mother over a year ago, she doesn’t want to spend Christmas at home, as she doesn’t have any other family. But, when her flight is diverted to a small island off the coast of Massachusetts, she can’t wait until she can get off the island and finish her assignment in the Caribbean. But, as mishap after mishap occurs, her stay on the island is extended until after Christmas.
Nathan White, a single dad to Abigale, manages the community center on Sea Spray Island, but funding for the center is running out, and it’s up to Nathan to find funding, or he’ll have to move himself and Abigale off the island to find work. He can’t imagine leaving Sea Spray Island, as it’s the home of his sister and brother-in-law and the perfect place to raise his daughter. Also, he doesn’t want to let down the residents of the island by having the community center close.
This is a sweet romance with everything I wanted in a holiday romance book. I was initially not fond of Celeste but warmed up to her later in the book. The rest of the characters were fun, engaging and a delight to read about. This is certainly a slow burn, clean romance, perhaps it took a bit longer for Celeste and Nathan to get together, but it was worth the wait. The book is easy to read with good pacing and an enjoyable story.
I recommend this book to anyone wanting a sweet, holiday romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Celeste Bell is a travel writer for a prestigious travel magazine and is headed to the Caribbean to cover the festival over Christmas. She volunteered for the assignment because after losing her mother over a year ago, she doesn’t want to spend Christmas at home, as she doesn’t have any other family. But, when her flight is diverted to a small island off the coast of Massachusetts, she can’t wait until she can get off the island and finish her assignment in the Caribbean. But, as mishap after mishap occurs, her stay on the island is extended until after Christmas.
Nathan White, a single dad to Abigale, manages the community center on Sea Spray Island, but funding for the center is running out, and it’s up to Nathan to find funding, or he’ll have to move himself and Abigale off the island to find work. He can’t imagine leaving Sea Spray Island, as it’s the home of his sister and brother-in-law and the perfect place to raise his daughter. Also, he doesn’t want to let down the residents of the island by having the community center close.
This is a sweet romance with everything I wanted in a holiday romance book. I was initially not fond of Celeste but warmed up to her later in the book. The rest of the characters were fun, engaging and a delight to read about. This is certainly a slow burn, clean romance, perhaps it took a bit longer for Celeste and Nathan to get together, but it was worth the wait. The book is easy to read with good pacing and an enjoyable story.
I recommend this book to anyone wanting a sweet, holiday romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
November 3, 2021
Charming, warm-hearted and simply adorable, readers are sure to fall under the spell of Carrie Jansen’s Celebration at Christmas Cove.
The holiday season might just be around the corner, but the last thing travel writer Celeste Bell feels like doing is celebrating! With her flight to the Caribbean having been diverted to a Massachusetts island, it looks like she will have to kiss goodbye any hope she might have had of spending Christmas in an island paradise. Still mourning the passing of her mother, Celeste had hoped to spend the last few weeks of the year unencumbered by festivities and affairs of the heart, however, little does she realize that fate might have other ideas in store for her…
Unlike Celeste, community center director Nathan wants to pull out all the stops this Christmas. Determined to give his daughter Abigail a holiday she will always remember, Nathan is willing to move mountains for his little girl. But preoccupied with the thought that he might have to leave the island if he doesn’t mange to save the community center, Nathan doesn’t know which way to turn. Having tried everything to save the place that means so much to him, Nathan is fresh out of ideas. But could a chance meeting with Celeste prove to be the answer to all of his prayers?
From the very first moment they met, Celeste and Nathan had forged a connection that deepens the more time they spend in one another’s company. But having both risked their hearts once before, are Celeste and Nathan prepared to take a chance on love? Do they have the strength and courage to admit how they really feel about one another? Or will this Christmas be one full of regret, heartache and disappointment for the two of them?
A delightful, emotional and feel-good contemporary romance, Carrie Jansen’s Celebration at Christmas Cove is a heartfelt tale about community, renewal, new beginnings and falling in love when you least expect it that will leave readers with a huge smile on their face.
In Celebration at Christmas Cove, Carrie Jansen beautifully blends drama, intensity, humor and heart in a swoon-worthy romantic tale perfect for curling up with.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The holiday season might just be around the corner, but the last thing travel writer Celeste Bell feels like doing is celebrating! With her flight to the Caribbean having been diverted to a Massachusetts island, it looks like she will have to kiss goodbye any hope she might have had of spending Christmas in an island paradise. Still mourning the passing of her mother, Celeste had hoped to spend the last few weeks of the year unencumbered by festivities and affairs of the heart, however, little does she realize that fate might have other ideas in store for her…
Unlike Celeste, community center director Nathan wants to pull out all the stops this Christmas. Determined to give his daughter Abigail a holiday she will always remember, Nathan is willing to move mountains for his little girl. But preoccupied with the thought that he might have to leave the island if he doesn’t mange to save the community center, Nathan doesn’t know which way to turn. Having tried everything to save the place that means so much to him, Nathan is fresh out of ideas. But could a chance meeting with Celeste prove to be the answer to all of his prayers?
From the very first moment they met, Celeste and Nathan had forged a connection that deepens the more time they spend in one another’s company. But having both risked their hearts once before, are Celeste and Nathan prepared to take a chance on love? Do they have the strength and courage to admit how they really feel about one another? Or will this Christmas be one full of regret, heartache and disappointment for the two of them?
A delightful, emotional and feel-good contemporary romance, Carrie Jansen’s Celebration at Christmas Cove is a heartfelt tale about community, renewal, new beginnings and falling in love when you least expect it that will leave readers with a huge smile on their face.
In Celebration at Christmas Cove, Carrie Jansen beautifully blends drama, intensity, humor and heart in a swoon-worthy romantic tale perfect for curling up with.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 18, 2024
First, I want to thank @prhaudio for sending me an audio copy of 𝗖𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗧 𝗖𝗛𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗠𝗔𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗯𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗻.
This book is a delightful holiday romance filled with heartwarming charm and Hallmark-worthy moments. The story begins with an engaging meet-cute that sets the tone for a slow-burn romance between Celeste, a travel writer stranded on a snowy New England island, and Nathan, a widowed community center director. The island's tight-knit community and festive atmosphere come to life through vivid descriptions, making it easy to imagine this as a Christmas movie. While the romance is sweet, the occasional miscommunication between the leads adds moments of frustration, though it’s ultimately rewarding to see their connection deepen. The subplot about saving the community center adds emotional depth and holiday cheer. Overall, this is a cozy, uplifting read perfect for fans of small-town settings and seasonal love stories.
December 26, 2024
goodness gracious i literally started reading this book my senior year of college and finally finished it this Christmas two years later. it was a funny joke between me and my friends that i could never finish it. i actually started reading it during the summer too but happy i finished it during Christmas.
i originally loved this book until the last couple chapters. it is a heartwarming story about a travel journalist who is of course overworked and then she meets a small town community center president and they are a slow burn romance.
their meet is so cute and i love the setting and the supporting characters… i actually loved how the supporting characters helped them develop as people. but it ended really abruptly.
it seemed that everything just fell into place of convenience. after all the buildup of the big book (and my own two years of reading this) them getting together seemed so sudden and then they kinda pissed me off at the end. i feel like i some how always like the supporting characters than the main :/
i liked the last like two pages how they met and finally kissed but everything leading up to that sucked. i also loved how she realized that she didn’t want work to consume her. i underlined the line where she said that hehe
i will always remember this book bc of my own tie to it. it was decently written just need a better build up at the end. it will always have a special place in my heart:))
i originally loved this book until the last couple chapters. it is a heartwarming story about a travel journalist who is of course overworked and then she meets a small town community center president and they are a slow burn romance.
their meet is so cute and i love the setting and the supporting characters… i actually loved how the supporting characters helped them develop as people. but it ended really abruptly.
it seemed that everything just fell into place of convenience. after all the buildup of the big book (and my own two years of reading this) them getting together seemed so sudden and then they kinda pissed me off at the end. i feel like i some how always like the supporting characters than the main :/
i liked the last like two pages how they met and finally kissed but everything leading up to that sucked. i also loved how she realized that she didn’t want work to consume her. i underlined the line where she said that hehe
i will always remember this book bc of my own tie to it. it was decently written just need a better build up at the end. it will always have a special place in my heart:))
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 26, 2021
“If you don’t mind me saying so, in my experience, loneliness isn’t something a person should suffer alone.”
In this sweet holiday story, sparks fly between a woman who can’t wait to leave a wintery New England island and a widower who would do anything to stay. Travel magazine writer Celeste Bell is stuck. She is on an island, but not the right one. She needs to be in the Caribbean for an assignment, but Mother Nature has other plans. Stuck on Sea Spray Island, aka Christmas Cove, and reeling from the recent loss of her mother, Celeste 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴 to get to her destination. Stranded by a nor’easter, Celeste is taken in by Nathan White and his sister, who owns the local Inn. Can these two lonely souls find solace amongst the stress of their jobs and the bittersweet Christmas holiday?
I am SO ready for Christmas now! This story has Hallmark written all over it. I could just picture this quaint New England island decorated for Christmas with carolers singing, snowy wreaths on the doors, and lights hanging from every surface. The widow. The workaholic. Both trapped on an island for Christmas. Ahhh it was just such a feel good story and one that will be a perfect addition to your Christmasy tbr! 🎄
Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing, and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In this sweet holiday story, sparks fly between a woman who can’t wait to leave a wintery New England island and a widower who would do anything to stay. Travel magazine writer Celeste Bell is stuck. She is on an island, but not the right one. She needs to be in the Caribbean for an assignment, but Mother Nature has other plans. Stuck on Sea Spray Island, aka Christmas Cove, and reeling from the recent loss of her mother, Celeste 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴 to get to her destination. Stranded by a nor’easter, Celeste is taken in by Nathan White and his sister, who owns the local Inn. Can these two lonely souls find solace amongst the stress of their jobs and the bittersweet Christmas holiday?
I am SO ready for Christmas now! This story has Hallmark written all over it. I could just picture this quaint New England island decorated for Christmas with carolers singing, snowy wreaths on the doors, and lights hanging from every surface. The widow. The workaholic. Both trapped on an island for Christmas. Ahhh it was just such a feel good story and one that will be a perfect addition to your Christmasy tbr! 🎄
Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing, and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 1, 2021
Celebration at Christmas Cove by Carrie Jansen is a heartwarming, sweet, emotional, enjoyable holiday romance. There’s the heroine who hates Christmas, a small-town that goes overboard for Christmas, a single dad with an adorable child who still believes in the magic of Christmas, a town full of quirky characters who are trying to set up the two main characters. All of this creates the perfect setting for a wonderful holiday romance.
This is a sweet, heartwarming story with a delightful cast of characters. Sea Spray Island is a cute Christmas-obsessed town, and helped to transform Chelsea from an unhappy woman into a well-rounded, likeable heroine. She's a bit challenging to root for at the beginning, but her encounter with Nathan, his daughter and the rest of the people on the island give her the strength and motivation to re-evaluate her career goals. I really liked Nathan as a hero, particularly his loyalty to family and commitment to the island community. I enjoyed and highly recommend Celebration at Christmas Cove to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
This is a sweet, heartwarming story with a delightful cast of characters. Sea Spray Island is a cute Christmas-obsessed town, and helped to transform Chelsea from an unhappy woman into a well-rounded, likeable heroine. She's a bit challenging to root for at the beginning, but her encounter with Nathan, his daughter and the rest of the people on the island give her the strength and motivation to re-evaluate her career goals. I really liked Nathan as a hero, particularly his loyalty to family and commitment to the island community. I enjoyed and highly recommend Celebration at Christmas Cove to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
November 5, 2021
Christmas is a hard holiday for many people and for a variety of reasons. Celeste is not in the mood to celebrate Christmas at all as she is still mourning the loss of her mother when her plane is rerouted to an island in Massachusetts. Instead of the Caribbean, now Celeste is stuck here for the Christmas holiday with people like Nathan and his daughter, Abigail. Seems like they are convinced to share the Christmas spirit with Celeste, whether she is up for it or not.
Having been on both spectrums - both dreading Christmas and overflowing with Christmas love... I can so related to Celebration at Christmas Cove. What author Carrie Jansen does best: well written characters with solid character growth, slow building romance and a wonderful setting that truly does remind me of a Hallmark movie.
Definitely a great read, just in time for the holidays!!
#CelebrationatChristmasCove #NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, author Carrie Jansen and Berkley Publishing for this digital advance review copy for me to read and enjoy! As always, my reviews are voluntary and my opinions are my own.
Having been on both spectrums - both dreading Christmas and overflowing with Christmas love... I can so related to Celebration at Christmas Cove. What author Carrie Jansen does best: well written characters with solid character growth, slow building romance and a wonderful setting that truly does remind me of a Hallmark movie.
Definitely a great read, just in time for the holidays!!
#CelebrationatChristmasCove #NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, author Carrie Jansen and Berkley Publishing for this digital advance review copy for me to read and enjoy! As always, my reviews are voluntary and my opinions are my own.
October 29, 2021
Another great Cozy Christmas read, this time by Carrie Jansen.
Celeste Bell is trapped at Sea Spray Island as her flight is diverted from the Caribbean due to weather, just in time for the holidays. As a self-professed “married to her job” gal, Celeste is eager to get off the cold Island and maintain the favor of her overbearing boss, Phillip.
She quickly meets Nathan, a widower with just the sweetest daughter, and best sister ever (hello, stellar supporting cast in this novel!) and Celeste refuses to believe the fact that she is basically trapped on the cutest little island ever, an island that screams Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard vibes.
Arthur, a supporting character is quite possibly one of my all-time favorite supporting characters, ever! So much we can learn about ourselves through him, and he gives so much food for thought.
If you like grace, second chances, Cape Cod +the Islands vibes, clean romances, then you will definitely enjoy this one!
Thank you to the publisher for my #gifted copy in exchange for my honest review!
Celeste Bell is trapped at Sea Spray Island as her flight is diverted from the Caribbean due to weather, just in time for the holidays. As a self-professed “married to her job” gal, Celeste is eager to get off the cold Island and maintain the favor of her overbearing boss, Phillip.
She quickly meets Nathan, a widower with just the sweetest daughter, and best sister ever (hello, stellar supporting cast in this novel!) and Celeste refuses to believe the fact that she is basically trapped on the cutest little island ever, an island that screams Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard vibes.
Arthur, a supporting character is quite possibly one of my all-time favorite supporting characters, ever! So much we can learn about ourselves through him, and he gives so much food for thought.
If you like grace, second chances, Cape Cod +the Islands vibes, clean romances, then you will definitely enjoy this one!
Thank you to the publisher for my #gifted copy in exchange for my honest review!
October 29, 2021
“If you don’t mind me saying so, in my experience, loneliness isn’t something a person should suffer alone.”
In this sweet holiday story, sparks fly between a woman who can’t wait to leave a wintery New England island and a widower who would do anything to stay. Travel magazine writer Celeste Bell is stuck. She is on an island, but not the right one. She needs to be in the Caribbean for an assignment, but Mother Nature has other plans. Stuck on Sea Spray Island, aka Christmas Cove, and reeling from the recent loss of her mother, Celeste 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴 to get to her destination. Stranded by a nor’easter, Celeste is taken in by Nathan White and his sister, who owns the local Inn. Can these two lonely souls find solace amongst the stress of their jobs and the bittersweet Christmas holiday?
I am SO ready for Christmas now! This story has Hallmark written all over it. I could just picture this quaint New England island decorated for Christmas with carolers singing, snowy wreaths on the doors, and lights hanging from every surface. The widow. The workaholic. Both trapped on an island for Christmas. Ahhh it was just such a feel good story and one that will be a perfect addition to your Christmasy tbr! 🎄
Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing, and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In this sweet holiday story, sparks fly between a woman who can’t wait to leave a wintery New England island and a widower who would do anything to stay. Travel magazine writer Celeste Bell is stuck. She is on an island, but not the right one. She needs to be in the Caribbean for an assignment, but Mother Nature has other plans. Stuck on Sea Spray Island, aka Christmas Cove, and reeling from the recent loss of her mother, Celeste 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴 to get to her destination. Stranded by a nor’easter, Celeste is taken in by Nathan White and his sister, who owns the local Inn. Can these two lonely souls find solace amongst the stress of their jobs and the bittersweet Christmas holiday?
I am SO ready for Christmas now! This story has Hallmark written all over it. I could just picture this quaint New England island decorated for Christmas with carolers singing, snowy wreaths on the doors, and lights hanging from every surface. The widow. The workaholic. Both trapped on an island for Christmas. Ahhh it was just such a feel good story and one that will be a perfect addition to your Christmasy tbr! 🎄
Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing, and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 9, 2021
Celebration at Christmas Cove is a sweet, clean, and charming story set on an island off the coast of Massachusetts. When Celeste Bell gets stranded there while trying to get to a writing assignment in the Caribbean, the last thing she wants is to get tangled up in the month-long Christmas celebrations with the residents. Nathan White is a single father trying to keep the community center he directs funded and running. While the story is quite predictable, the characters are relatable, realistic, and endearing. Nathan’s daughter, Abbey, and several other secondary characters add charm and fun to the tale. It is well-written and easy to read. I recommend this book to those who enjoy delightful contemporary Christmas stories.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from NetGalley. All opinions are my own
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from NetGalley. All opinions are my own
October 20, 2021
A really sweet inspiring holiday read. How many of us have that annoying bossy boss? How many of us have lost a loved one around the holidays? How many of us aspire succeed? Celeste has that annoying boss, lost her mother and wants to prove she can be successful. But when bad weather detours her flight to a small Massachusetts Island, she is sucked into the holiday charm and spirit. Nathan has his share of problems. His community center is losing its funding and he and his daughter will have to leave their beloved island, to find another job. The story is emotional, you feel their losses, and frustrations to their successes, and holiday cheer. The sweet romance is endearing. The characters are likable and realistic. If you enjoy a good holiday Hallmark style story, you will love this read.
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