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Wildwood Falls #1

Joy of the Season

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If this Grinch in a cowboy hat thinks he can steal Joy’s Christmas spirit, he’s got another thing coming.
No one believes in the magic of Christmas more than Joy Williams. She owns a Christmas-themed store in Wildwood Falls, Montana, and loves nothing more than sharing the happiness of the holidays with her customers. But then a sexy cowboy saunters into town, with his fancy boots, shiny belt buckle, and lazy smile—and an eviction notice. Turns out, he’s her new landlord, and his plans for the building don’t include her shop.
Luke Hudson is a down-on-his-luck ex-rodeo star. After a devastating injury caused him to miss out on the rodeo circuit for a full season, he needs an infusion of cash—fast. When he unexpectedly inherits an historic building, the solution is clear. Evict the tenants and sell the building. But after meeting the charming owner of the Christmas shop, that’s easier said than done.
It’ll take more than Christmas magic to save Joy’s store and teach Luke the importance of community. They’ll both have to lay their hearts on the line.

This novella was previously published in the Snow in Love holiday collection.

62 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2021

63 people are currently reading
251 people want to read

About the author

Heather Scarlett

38 books392 followers
Heather Scarlett writes small town romance for readers who crave the warmth of Gilmore Girls charm, the wild beauty of Montana skies, and the sun-drenched magic of California wine country. Her stories are rich with tender moments, swoon-worthy chemistry, and cozy settings that wrap around you like your favorite sweater. Expect flirtation, heart-melting emotion, and family sagas where second chances are guaranteed. If you love the scent of fresh-baked pie, the sparkle of vineyard sunsets, and the comfort of coming home, Heather's feel-good romances deliver happily-ever-afters that linger like a perfect kiss.

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5 stars
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67 (27%)
3 stars
60 (24%)
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37 (15%)
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10 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
Profile Image for Rachel.
5 reviews
Read
December 26, 2024
surely a man that wants to evict you so he can ride horses can't be sexy
5,665 reviews63 followers
July 17, 2021
Luke missed last year on the rodeo circuit due to major injuries. He just inherited an old building in the middle of town and plans to evict everyone who lives and works there and sell it for the cash needed to re-enter the rodeo, but the will has a few other things he has to do first. I do believe his aunt was a hidden matchmaker. He has to be involved with the Christmas celebration and be on the committee.
Joy owns and operates a Christmas shop, and lives upstairs in that building. Having to work side by side makes them talk and open up to each other. Sparks do fly in both directions.
The characters are terrific, with great backstories and intense feelings. The storyline has plenty of surprises, like the will orders, and twists like her being the committee chairman. Love how they slowly ease up on each other and start to see a future, but there is always something that can go wrong. The ending was the best. Well done.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Mary.
922 reviews40 followers
July 9, 2023
It was an okay story!

Joy runs the Christmas store in Wildwood Falls, Montana! She has had the store for many years and lives upstairs in a sweet small apartment.


Her world is turned upside down when a sexy Cowboy walks in the store in the early morning one day

His name is Luke and Joy has never seen him before. He tells her she is going to be evicted and she has a little time to find a new store to move in.

He is the new owner of the building and is selling it to a developer to make it into Condos.

She knows that she can not pay anymore for rent.

He places an ad in the town paper and hopes that Luke will see it.

After he gets mad at her, she finds out that he is not selling the building and is staying in town.

The book was short, but sweet! Everything works out and it was a good short story to read.
Profile Image for Carole Burant.
1,279 reviews38 followers
June 27, 2021
A delightful novella that takes place at Christmas time and will leave a warm mooshy feeling in your heart. I adored both main characters, Luke and Joy, what a couple they make:)

When Luke goes back to his hometown to sell the building his aunt had left him in her will, he soon learns that will be easier said than done! That particular building holds many little shops, one of them being Joy's Christmas store and she's not willing to let it go without a fight. As Luke learns the true meaning of community and falls in love with Joy, it may just be the best Christmas ever:)

I received an ARC of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
2,316 reviews27 followers
July 3, 2021
This is a sweet story of a small town at Christmas. Joy owns a Christmas shop and heads the local Christmas committee. Luke is a rodeo star who has just inherited the building where she works. He has to fulfill some conditions before he comes into possession of the building, including being part of the town’s festivities. Joy allows him to join even though he plans to sell the building and evict her and the other tenants. Will Luke find his Christmas spirit and change his mind? Will Joy give him a chance to be more than her enemy? Their story is sweet with a great ending. Definitely check it out.

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3,735 reviews19 followers
July 4, 2021
Luke meets Joy when he tells he he's evicting her from her Christmas store so he can sell the building to developers. But in order to have full ownership after her inherited it from his aunt he needs to pass some stipulations which means being involved in the holiday celebrations of Wildwood Falls. He gets mad that she fights him on it, rallying the town behind her and thinks she can easily pick up and start over someplace else. But during their time judging the holiday lights romance is in the air and he starts to question his decisions to sell and return to rodeo. This was a short cute happy for now romance.
Profile Image for Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy.
2,128 reviews71 followers
October 17, 2022
This is a short and sweet Christmas romance. You have a hunky Scrooge named Luke, and on the other end of the spectrum you have a Christmas loving lady named Joy. When Luke informs her that he will be selling the building where her Christmas shop is located, the sparks start flying! I loved the lesson that Luke learned from his grandmother in this story. Joy was a delightful character. Her love of Christmas would make she and I best friends! If you like a short Christmas book, you will love this one!
2,400 reviews27 followers
February 9, 2024
Luke's aunt left him the oldest building in Wildwood Falls in her will, and she had a good reason for doing so. When Luke meets Joy, who owns a Christmas shop in the building, she can't believe her ears when he proceeds to tell her he will be selling the building. Luke plans to sell the historic building to developers for condos. He didn't expect what ends up happening and that Joy will help him regain his Christmas spirit. This is a short, sweet, clean Christmas story with well-written characters.
9,377 reviews139 followers
July 1, 2021
This is a well written small town holiday romance between Luke and Joy. The author brings strong characters and does a great job painting her scenes. She packs a ton of emotions as she brings them together in this short story. It moves quickly and smoothly and is a cute holiday romance. I enjoyed and would recommend for a quickie read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
Profile Image for Marichus Real.
3,656 reviews31 followers
July 2, 2021
When Luke’s aunt left him the oldest building in Wildwood Falls, she knew perfectly well what she was doing.
Joy can’t believe her ears when she hears Luke saying her he was going to sell the building where she has her business and her home.
A short, sweet Christmas story that is well-written and enjoyable.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Lucia Valenzuela.
2,079 reviews13 followers
June 29, 2021
Cute short story. Joy certainly lives up to her name with the her Christmas store and holiday spirit. Luke is planning to evict everyone and sell the historic building to developers for condos. They are both well written characters that make the story come alive.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,372 reviews8 followers
July 15, 2021
I love christmas stories and I couldn't wait to read this book and it did not disappoint. Luke and Joy could not be more different but you know what they say opposites attract and what a beautiful story it was.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
316 reviews3 followers
December 16, 2022
Christmas magic is still alive


We all need to look around us and really see what Christmas is all about. Let yourself feel the joy and see how you can make a difference in other people's lives. Jesus's birth gives us hope for tomorrow and this is something we should share with others.




Profile Image for Karen.
111 reviews
July 1, 2023
It was entertaining, but that’s where the positives ended. There where several aspects that I found displeasing, particularly the problem with the couple because it didn’t make sense. I would have preferred if it hadn’t occurred at all, as it lacked coherence. Ultimately, I can’t say I enjoyed it, although it did manage to hold my attention.
Profile Image for Suze Prescot.
Author 12 books32 followers
December 16, 2025
Short, Sweet and Wonderfully Festive

Joy runs a Christmas store, and is part of the organisation committee in town. Luke is a rodeo rider, at home following injury. He also owns the building where Joy's store is.
Very short, but very satisfying festive romance.
Well-written and very enjoyable.
Profile Image for Kathy Mccalmon.
3,721 reviews29 followers
June 30, 2021
This is a Christmas romance. Joy is a very happy and delightful character. I like how Luke finally sees the light.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4,997 reviews32 followers
July 1, 2021
Sweet Christmas romance with Joy who owns a Christmas Gift store and Luke has inherited the building where her shop is located. Luke wants to sell the building but when he meets Joy she teaches him the true meaning of the holidays.
Profile Image for Barbara.
19.4k reviews8 followers
July 2, 2021
A Christmas novella that will leave you smiling. I enjoyed seeing Luke Hudson and Joy Williams get their happy ending. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
627 reviews
July 4, 2021
Amazing book! I loved the characters and the plot. I hope I get more opportunities to read books by this author. Definitely recommend!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4,589 reviews19 followers
July 4, 2021
This was a short novella, set at Christmas time. It was a sweet read, the only problem I had with it was that it was written in the third person. Sorry, this is a deal breaker for me.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
846 reviews2 followers
July 22, 2021
I really enjoyed Joy and Luke's story.
It was a lovely short and sweet Christmas romance that had some drama and twists and turns.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Deb.
7,641 reviews37 followers
July 25, 2021
I thought this was a sweet romance and definitely worth reading. The characters are likable and engaging. I liked the drama and I enjoyed reading this book.

I requested a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
10.9k reviews127 followers
July 31, 2021
This is the 4th book I've read written by Heather Scarlett; I can’t wait to read more of her books.

She has written a good short story. I loved the story line and the chemistry between the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Melynda Wangsness.
198 reviews
November 22, 2022
"Don’t wish for things you can’t have. Don’t think you deserve better than you’ve got."

A cute and warm short story with just the right amount of cowboy and Christmas.
Great way to start some holiday season reading!
315 reviews2 followers
December 2, 2022
This is a good story that has no surprises, it gives the reader a warm and fuzzy feel as you read this quick and easy story with likeable well developed characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
6,362 reviews116 followers
December 24, 2022
Joy of the Season by Heather Scarlett – A rodeo cowboy comes home for Christmas to claim his inheritance and has a standoff with the pretty chair of the town holiday committee! Such a sweet little novella! Happy Holiday Reading!
72 reviews1 follower
December 28, 2025
Joy's feelings in the later chapters made no sense and seemed out of left field. It felt like the author wasn't sure how to end it.

Also, the spelling of Mrs. Claus bugged me. It was spelled Mrs. Clause twice.
1,069 reviews4 followers
June 29, 2021
If you like small town romances, you'll definitely enjoy this one. Worth the read.

I received an ARC, and this is my honest opinion.
7,160 reviews33 followers
July 2, 2021
A sweet and entertaining Christmas time read. The story flows well, the characters are likeable and have a great connection. A read good feel story.

I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews