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Once Upon a Holiday
Two people certain they can’t fall in love. What they didn't count on was a holiday.
Arden suffered a heartbreak that hit too close to home.
Russell is a single dad with a matchmaking mother.
She thinks love let her down.
He believes he’ll never love again.
She’s taken a permanent vacation from dating.
He tells himself he’s fine living the rest of his life alone.
When fate steps in, will Arden and Russell stick to the play-it-safe scripts they’ve written for themselves, or will they step out of their comfort zone and find their way back to love?
Arden suffered a heartbreak that hit too close to home.
Russell is a single dad with a matchmaking mother.
She thinks love let her down.
He believes he’ll never love again.
She’s taken a permanent vacation from dating.
He tells himself he’s fine living the rest of his life alone.
When fate steps in, will Arden and Russell stick to the play-it-safe scripts they’ve written for themselves, or will they step out of their comfort zone and find their way back to love?
229 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 26, 2021
80 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Delaney Cameron
30 books460 followersI'm a Georgia girl at heart if not by birth. I love to read, watch college football, and spend time with my husband. I'm a hopeless romantic so there will always be a happily ever after in my stories. I also like to write about second chances because love doesn't always work out the first time.
For more information, visit my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Delaney-Came...
To contact me or join my mailing list: www.delaneycameron.com
Or email me: delaneycameronbooks@gmail.com
For more information, visit my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Delaney-Came...
To contact me or join my mailing list: www.delaneycameron.com
Or email me: delaneycameronbooks@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 20, 2022
Pleasant, low-angst, no-sex romance
Arden is a 28-year-old, assistant professor of music history at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, where she has been employed for the past three years. She is also the first-chair flutist in the Civic Orchestra at the St. Johns Cathedral. Four months before, in August, when she had just returned from spending the three months of her summer vacation in London as part of an orchestra exchange program, she was met at the airport by her 25-year-old stepsister, Chantal. Without an ounce of shame, Chantal arrogantly informed Arden that, six weeks ago, she had begun an affair with Arden’s fiancé, Lewis, and the two of them were in love. Chantal informed Arden that her engagement to Lewis was at an end and, furthermore, it was going to be Chantal marching down the aisle with Lewis in October, instead of Arden. In short, Chantal declared, these were the irrefutable facts, and Arden needed to just suck it up and accept them.
Which is exactly what Arden did. Not a single word of condemnation passed her lips that day, and she even attended the cheaters’ wedding with a forced smile on her lips, because she did not want to cause her father and stepmother any distress. In fact, Arden has apparently continuously behaved like an old-fashioned “good girl” her whole life. She believes it is her job (due to her personality, not due to religious beliefs), in all situations with people who have wronged her, to “take the high road,” which involves refusing to show any anger or resentment, by word or deed.
During all these months, while Arden has maintained her stiff upper lip, in complete contrast to that attitude, her BFF and roommate, 27-year-old Jewell, has been endlessly fierce in Arden’s defense and loudly scornful of Chantal and Lewis. Jewell also has frequently disagreed with Arden’s determination to not only never fall in love again, but to never, ever date anyone. Lately, Jewell has been strongly urging Arden to go out with her 24-year-old brother, Hudson. She believes he would be a good match for Arden, because Hudson also has a music career, as a successful composer for video games. Unfortunately for Jewell’s matchmaking scheme, Hudson is as dedicated to the single life as Arden is, in his case because he is a free spirit who dates widely, and he has no interest in dating an “older woman.”
Arden initially hesitates, because she fears she would be an intrusive outsider, when Jewell invites Arden to come with her and Hudson to spend two weeks during her Christmas vacation with Jewell’s family. They will be gathering at the home of Jewell’s 38-year-old brother Russell, who owns a huge house on a horse farm in a rural area of Georgia. He lives with his widowed mother and his 18-year-old daughter, Suzanne, who has recently completed her first semester of college. In addition, Jewell’s older sister, Tamron, and her two young children, Kent and Zelda, will be visiting from Alabama. Jewell assures Arden that her family would love to have her and, since Arden has been dreading getting together with her father, stepmother, Chantal and Lewis for Christmas, and she is not on good terms with her mother either, it is with both relief and anticipation that she accepts Jewell’s invitation.
After his beloved wife, his high-school sweetheart, whom he married at 18, died from cancer eight years ago, Russell swore to himself that he would spend the rest of his life alone. And, until now, he has not even been tempted to go on a date. But suddenly, he finds himself envying Hudson, whom he mistakenly believes is dating Arden. Russell is impressed with Arden’s gentle, unassuming nature, in spite of her obvious intellectual and musical accomplishments. She is wonderful with his nephew and niece and seems to love horses almost as much as he and his daughter do. Arden is also as beautiful, slender and tall (6’1”) as a model. On top of all that, Russell is delightfully surprised that she considers his passionate participation in bird watching to be a fascinating hobby, rather than a geeky embarrassment.
Arden is immediately attracted to Russell, both his appealing, down-to-earth personality and his handsome face and muscular shoulders. A former professional hockey player, he has clearly maintained a high level of fitness since he retired from the NHL at age 30. And at 6’5” tall, she can actually look up at him, a rarity for a woman of her height. From their first conversation, they are extremely comfortable with each other, and it is not long before Russell learns that Arden is definitely not Hudson’s girlfriend. Toward the end of Arden’s visit, each of them, separately, begins to worry that they are developing romantic feelings for each other, as demonstrated by the fact that they are both dreading Arden’s upcoming departure.
This is a pleasant, no-sex, low-angst romance novel. Neither Arden nor Russell has a “story goal.” In popular fiction, this is something the protagonist wants very much for compelling reasons (motivation), and will overcome any obstacles in their way (conflict) in order to achieve it. Any novel that omits this crucial element will, inevitably, have a slow, forward momentum, because that lack tends to create passive protagonists. Because both Arden and Russell have loved and lost, they only want to be left as they are, living out a quiet, risk-free, pain-free, single existence. However, the two of them have quite similar, “cinnamon roll” personalities. Each is sacrificial and puts the needs of others first, and each dislikes confronting anyone who is taking advantage of them or hurting them. As a result of their being birds of a feather, spending time together creates a state of peaceful contentment, with no risk of pain from either deception or rejection.
Given that this is a sexless romance (there is nothing beyond tongue-free kissing, and no body parts between the shoulders and the knees are ever mentioned in the thoughts of either protagonist), the author has substituted frequent, innocuous dates for the rising sexual tension that is a crucial element of non-G-rated romances. During the vast majority of scenes when they are onstage together, Arden and Russell are either dining in restaurants or taking in the local tourist attractions within the three main settings of this novel: a rural area of Georgia, Jacksonville, and Boston. As a result, at least 50% of the word count of this novel would provide excellent, descriptive content for a travel blog.
I read this novel as a kind of literary palate cleanser after the stomach-knotting stress of experiencing several high-octane, romantic-suspense novels in a row. As such, and judging it for being exactly what it is, a 1950’s style relationship between two gentle souls with impeccable manners, for me this book was a placid, 3-star diversion.
Arden is a 28-year-old, assistant professor of music history at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, where she has been employed for the past three years. She is also the first-chair flutist in the Civic Orchestra at the St. Johns Cathedral. Four months before, in August, when she had just returned from spending the three months of her summer vacation in London as part of an orchestra exchange program, she was met at the airport by her 25-year-old stepsister, Chantal. Without an ounce of shame, Chantal arrogantly informed Arden that, six weeks ago, she had begun an affair with Arden’s fiancé, Lewis, and the two of them were in love. Chantal informed Arden that her engagement to Lewis was at an end and, furthermore, it was going to be Chantal marching down the aisle with Lewis in October, instead of Arden. In short, Chantal declared, these were the irrefutable facts, and Arden needed to just suck it up and accept them.
Which is exactly what Arden did. Not a single word of condemnation passed her lips that day, and she even attended the cheaters’ wedding with a forced smile on her lips, because she did not want to cause her father and stepmother any distress. In fact, Arden has apparently continuously behaved like an old-fashioned “good girl” her whole life. She believes it is her job (due to her personality, not due to religious beliefs), in all situations with people who have wronged her, to “take the high road,” which involves refusing to show any anger or resentment, by word or deed.
During all these months, while Arden has maintained her stiff upper lip, in complete contrast to that attitude, her BFF and roommate, 27-year-old Jewell, has been endlessly fierce in Arden’s defense and loudly scornful of Chantal and Lewis. Jewell also has frequently disagreed with Arden’s determination to not only never fall in love again, but to never, ever date anyone. Lately, Jewell has been strongly urging Arden to go out with her 24-year-old brother, Hudson. She believes he would be a good match for Arden, because Hudson also has a music career, as a successful composer for video games. Unfortunately for Jewell’s matchmaking scheme, Hudson is as dedicated to the single life as Arden is, in his case because he is a free spirit who dates widely, and he has no interest in dating an “older woman.”
Arden initially hesitates, because she fears she would be an intrusive outsider, when Jewell invites Arden to come with her and Hudson to spend two weeks during her Christmas vacation with Jewell’s family. They will be gathering at the home of Jewell’s 38-year-old brother Russell, who owns a huge house on a horse farm in a rural area of Georgia. He lives with his widowed mother and his 18-year-old daughter, Suzanne, who has recently completed her first semester of college. In addition, Jewell’s older sister, Tamron, and her two young children, Kent and Zelda, will be visiting from Alabama. Jewell assures Arden that her family would love to have her and, since Arden has been dreading getting together with her father, stepmother, Chantal and Lewis for Christmas, and she is not on good terms with her mother either, it is with both relief and anticipation that she accepts Jewell’s invitation.
After his beloved wife, his high-school sweetheart, whom he married at 18, died from cancer eight years ago, Russell swore to himself that he would spend the rest of his life alone. And, until now, he has not even been tempted to go on a date. But suddenly, he finds himself envying Hudson, whom he mistakenly believes is dating Arden. Russell is impressed with Arden’s gentle, unassuming nature, in spite of her obvious intellectual and musical accomplishments. She is wonderful with his nephew and niece and seems to love horses almost as much as he and his daughter do. Arden is also as beautiful, slender and tall (6’1”) as a model. On top of all that, Russell is delightfully surprised that she considers his passionate participation in bird watching to be a fascinating hobby, rather than a geeky embarrassment.
Arden is immediately attracted to Russell, both his appealing, down-to-earth personality and his handsome face and muscular shoulders. A former professional hockey player, he has clearly maintained a high level of fitness since he retired from the NHL at age 30. And at 6’5” tall, she can actually look up at him, a rarity for a woman of her height. From their first conversation, they are extremely comfortable with each other, and it is not long before Russell learns that Arden is definitely not Hudson’s girlfriend. Toward the end of Arden’s visit, each of them, separately, begins to worry that they are developing romantic feelings for each other, as demonstrated by the fact that they are both dreading Arden’s upcoming departure.
This is a pleasant, no-sex, low-angst romance novel. Neither Arden nor Russell has a “story goal.” In popular fiction, this is something the protagonist wants very much for compelling reasons (motivation), and will overcome any obstacles in their way (conflict) in order to achieve it. Any novel that omits this crucial element will, inevitably, have a slow, forward momentum, because that lack tends to create passive protagonists. Because both Arden and Russell have loved and lost, they only want to be left as they are, living out a quiet, risk-free, pain-free, single existence. However, the two of them have quite similar, “cinnamon roll” personalities. Each is sacrificial and puts the needs of others first, and each dislikes confronting anyone who is taking advantage of them or hurting them. As a result of their being birds of a feather, spending time together creates a state of peaceful contentment, with no risk of pain from either deception or rejection.
Given that this is a sexless romance (there is nothing beyond tongue-free kissing, and no body parts between the shoulders and the knees are ever mentioned in the thoughts of either protagonist), the author has substituted frequent, innocuous dates for the rising sexual tension that is a crucial element of non-G-rated romances. During the vast majority of scenes when they are onstage together, Arden and Russell are either dining in restaurants or taking in the local tourist attractions within the three main settings of this novel: a rural area of Georgia, Jacksonville, and Boston. As a result, at least 50% of the word count of this novel would provide excellent, descriptive content for a travel blog.
I read this novel as a kind of literary palate cleanser after the stomach-knotting stress of experiencing several high-octane, romantic-suspense novels in a row. As such, and judging it for being exactly what it is, a 1950’s style relationship between two gentle souls with impeccable manners, for me this book was a placid, 3-star diversion.
May 29, 2021
For a heaping helping of happy!
Yay, Delaney Cameron has a new book series!!
This delightful 2nd chance romance is told in an episodic way that shows the gradual development of Russell & Arden's relationship over the course of 9 months.
Being a relationship development romance means that it's mainly focused on the growing feelings between the couple while the obstacles are lower key - & truer to life (sadly, I even know a character like the difficult one in this story).
So the story feels very real and yet is so full of happy that it feels like a fairytale. Wonderful for when you want a relaxing read strong on positive feels and mild on stressful conflicts.
There are also fun little connections that pop up between the characters in this series with those in the Sawgrass series.
The only negative to the book is that it ends all too soon, & now I have to wait for the next one!
*Romance level: passionate kisses, nothing graphic
Yay, Delaney Cameron has a new book series!!
This delightful 2nd chance romance is told in an episodic way that shows the gradual development of Russell & Arden's relationship over the course of 9 months.
Being a relationship development romance means that it's mainly focused on the growing feelings between the couple while the obstacles are lower key - & truer to life (sadly, I even know a character like the difficult one in this story).
So the story feels very real and yet is so full of happy that it feels like a fairytale. Wonderful for when you want a relaxing read strong on positive feels and mild on stressful conflicts.
There are also fun little connections that pop up between the characters in this series with those in the Sawgrass series.
The only negative to the book is that it ends all too soon, & now I have to wait for the next one!
*Romance level: passionate kisses, nothing graphic
July 3, 2021
I adore Delaney Cameron books! I’ve read them all. I like how she describes the places her book are set in. I always feel transported to the town she sets her stories in. And I enjoy the romances she writes. They seem real and pure.
I really wanted to love Once Upon A Holiday and while I did like it, I didn’t love it as much as her precious books.
Arden has one of the worst beginnings I’ve ever read. It was emotionally brutal. Her step-sister comes to pick her up at the airport after she’s been overseas working and tells Arden she’s stolen her fiancé, then proceeds to steal her entire wedding and groom. My heart literally broke at the blindsided betrayal.
Russell lost his wife and raised his daughter who is now off to college. His family and friends are pressuring him to return to the dating scene. He’s not opposed, just waiting for the right person.
I felt this book was a little overwhelmed with characters. I had trouble keeping up with everyone. The first 50% is everyone talking about Russell’s potential future spouses and on Arden’s side her best friend pressuring her to move on from her cheating ex. It took too long for the romance to happen. And then once it did, it went by so fast and moved at lightening speed.
I did like Arden and Russell together. I wish we could have had more of them.
I also really, really wanted to see Arden introduce Russell to her family. We got so much with his family but none with hers. I would have liked to see how that went down with her evil step-sister, awful ex and best boyfriend ever Russell sitting around a table. I would have liked to see someone sticking up for her with her family and calling them on their callous behaviour. I felt Arden was a bit of a pushover. She sucked up the horrible treatment of being betrayed for the sake of her family which I thought was admirable but also unfair and unrealistic. Just because her mother was a bitter person who couldn’t get over her divorce, didn’t mean Arden had to be the same. She was entitled to confront those who had hurt her not just sweep everything under the rugs for the sake of peace.
I did really appreciate that while Russell loved and missed his wife, he wasn’t afraid to move on and didn’t feel guilty for loving Arden. The same for his daughter. She encouraged him to meet someone else which I thought was lovely. I wish we could have seen more bonding between his daughter and Arden.
I can’t wait for the next book in this series though.
I really wanted to love Once Upon A Holiday and while I did like it, I didn’t love it as much as her precious books.
Arden has one of the worst beginnings I’ve ever read. It was emotionally brutal. Her step-sister comes to pick her up at the airport after she’s been overseas working and tells Arden she’s stolen her fiancé, then proceeds to steal her entire wedding and groom. My heart literally broke at the blindsided betrayal.
Russell lost his wife and raised his daughter who is now off to college. His family and friends are pressuring him to return to the dating scene. He’s not opposed, just waiting for the right person.
I felt this book was a little overwhelmed with characters. I had trouble keeping up with everyone. The first 50% is everyone talking about Russell’s potential future spouses and on Arden’s side her best friend pressuring her to move on from her cheating ex. It took too long for the romance to happen. And then once it did, it went by so fast and moved at lightening speed.
I did like Arden and Russell together. I wish we could have had more of them.
I also really, really wanted to see Arden introduce Russell to her family. We got so much with his family but none with hers. I would have liked to see how that went down with her evil step-sister, awful ex and best boyfriend ever Russell sitting around a table. I would have liked to see someone sticking up for her with her family and calling them on their callous behaviour. I felt Arden was a bit of a pushover. She sucked up the horrible treatment of being betrayed for the sake of her family which I thought was admirable but also unfair and unrealistic. Just because her mother was a bitter person who couldn’t get over her divorce, didn’t mean Arden had to be the same. She was entitled to confront those who had hurt her not just sweep everything under the rugs for the sake of peace.
I did really appreciate that while Russell loved and missed his wife, he wasn’t afraid to move on and didn’t feel guilty for loving Arden. The same for his daughter. She encouraged him to meet someone else which I thought was lovely. I wish we could have seen more bonding between his daughter and Arden.
I can’t wait for the next book in this series though.
June 19, 2021
Awesome!
When Ms. Cameron publishes a new book I know I will buy it and it will be the best book I have read over the last few weeks. This book delivered exactly that! Loved the writing—such good writing and character development. Another favorite!
When Ms. Cameron publishes a new book I know I will buy it and it will be the best book I have read over the last few weeks. This book delivered exactly that! Loved the writing—such good writing and character development. Another favorite!
May 15, 2024
Excellent book!
What an interesting story about Russell and Arden. Both are harboring broken hearts. Neither one are looking to date again. Meeting each other at Christmas time was an eye opener.
What an interesting story about Russell and Arden. Both are harboring broken hearts. Neither one are looking to date again. Meeting each other at Christmas time was an eye opener.
May 31, 2021
A good clean sweet second chance romance: He's a widower and her fiancé left her for her stepsister.
Can they find love again?
I enjoyed reading this story and would highly recommend it.
Can they find love again?
I enjoyed reading this story and would highly recommend it.
October 26, 2021
Brilliant
This is the first book I read by Delaney Cameron. A brilliant, clean, beautiful love story. I very pleased to find her books and enjoy reading them.
This is the first book I read by Delaney Cameron. A brilliant, clean, beautiful love story. I very pleased to find her books and enjoy reading them.
January 3, 2022
This was my second read (I must have forgotten to mark the first time around earlier this year when it was released) and like all of the author’s books, a nice romance with clean chemistry. There are obstacles to the relationship but they are fairly easily resolved. An easy read with an HEA.
April 2, 2024
A new series by Cameron begins with a betrayal. Cousin to the hero of another Cameron book, Arden receives cruel news on arriving home from a business trip. She gives up on men and on love. Russell is a retired hockey player and a widower with a college-age daughter. He is also the brother of Arden's roommate. When she visits their home for the holidays, they are both surprised by the attraction they feel. This is a slow burn story of a variety Cameron does well. There is an HEA, even though there are some emotional traumas they both have to overcome. I look forward to the next book in the series.
October 27, 2025
Sweet
Huge Delaney Cameron fan. This just another book in her favor. Arden and Russell are just two wonderful characters. People you want in your life as friends or family. So great characters both major and secondary characters. Definitely hoping for a story for Jewell.
This is a new series but Sawgrass characters are mentioned.
Sweet clean read.
Huge Delaney Cameron fan. This just another book in her favor. Arden and Russell are just two wonderful characters. People you want in your life as friends or family. So great characters both major and secondary characters. Definitely hoping for a story for Jewell.
This is a new series but Sawgrass characters are mentioned.
Sweet clean read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews