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Oak Grove #5
One Last Gift
Absence makes the heart grow fonder, but is ten years apart too long to fix their broken hearts?
Jack Murphy left Oak Grove behind, along with his childhood sweetheart and the pain from the loss of their son. He found success in business, but his personal life is another story. The string of women he’s dated since moving can’t compare with the woman who stole his heart all those years ago. And then his father’s heart attack brings him home for Christmas.
Casey Patterson had everything until a miscarriage drove the man she loved away. But she picked herself and rebuilt her life in Oak Grove. Everything might not be perfect, but it’s as close as she can make it. And then she falls into the arms of the one man she never got out of her heart.
Will they let their love for one another break through the barriers they built to keep their hearts safe from more pain? Or will Jack and Casey let their shared history lock them in the past?
Find out if Oak Grove’s Christmas spirit is strong enough to help Jack and Casey find their way back to each other in One Last Gift, an Oak Grove Holiday Novella.
*** Previously published in the Mistletoe Kisses box set. ***
Jack Murphy left Oak Grove behind, along with his childhood sweetheart and the pain from the loss of their son. He found success in business, but his personal life is another story. The string of women he’s dated since moving can’t compare with the woman who stole his heart all those years ago. And then his father’s heart attack brings him home for Christmas.
Casey Patterson had everything until a miscarriage drove the man she loved away. But she picked herself and rebuilt her life in Oak Grove. Everything might not be perfect, but it’s as close as she can make it. And then she falls into the arms of the one man she never got out of her heart.
Will they let their love for one another break through the barriers they built to keep their hearts safe from more pain? Or will Jack and Casey let their shared history lock them in the past?
Find out if Oak Grove’s Christmas spirit is strong enough to help Jack and Casey find their way back to each other in One Last Gift, an Oak Grove Holiday Novella.
*** Previously published in the Mistletoe Kisses box set. ***
ebook
First published January 16, 2018
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121 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Stopper
16 books189 followersThanks for visiting my profile. I'm a new Contemporary Romance author and I'm so excited about the possibilities. I've been falling in love with characters in books for a long time, and even more so now that they are speaking through me for other readers.
I've been remiss in updating my shelves but I'll be doing that soon, so check out some of my favorite reads, including some that I've read over and over because, yeah, they're just that good.
I'd love it if you'd add my books to your TBR shelf. If you want to find out more about me, click over to my website: http://www.nancystopper.com
I've been remiss in updating my shelves but I'll be doing that soon, so check out some of my favorite reads, including some that I've read over and over because, yeah, they're just that good.
I'd love it if you'd add my books to your TBR shelf. If you want to find out more about me, click over to my website: http://www.nancystopper.com
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 20, 2018
Another great read. I love the homely feel to Oak Grove.
This is a beautiful love story, with a Christmas backdrop.
Thoroughly enjoyed it. Would recommend this series.
This is a beautiful love story, with a Christmas backdrop.
Thoroughly enjoyed it. Would recommend this series.
December 27, 2020
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS
The Oak Grove series may revolve around the town of Oak Grove and the Bennett family and friends, but each story will read well as a stand-alone. While the story has its share of angst, memories, and romance, it also has the coveted happily ever after ending. The fifth story will be a second chance romance for estranged childhood sweethearts, Jack Murphy and Casey Patterson. But, can these two find their way back to each other, or will the past continue to haunt them?
Jack Murphy left Oak Grove, Pennsylvania, and has made a name for himself in Boston. He always has excuses for not returning, but a phone call, his father is in the hospital following a heart attack, will change everything. Jack is needed, and this time, he can’t make an excuse; he must return to Oak Grove.
Casey Patterson loved Jack, but he pulled away; while they both were grieving the loss of their son, Travis, she stayed, and he ran. Oak Grove is home, and it is where she plans to remain. She has friends, and now she has Riley depending on her.
The plot will bring Jack home to Oak Grove, and while most people are welcoming, Casey is aloof. She doesn’t count on him hanging around long, even with Sid’s health issues and the family business. But, Jack jumps back in and is helping. The town of Oak Grove is growing, with new businesses and neighbors, but it is still the same small town he left, where people know each other and care.
I loved all the angst, the memories, and the reconnecting that takes place between Jack and Casey. He is proud of what she has helped her father accomplish with Murphy’s Christmas Tree Lot and deserves the manager position. While Jack left, he did start his own business, and now many people depend on him—but he also has a partner and assistants to step in. Since most of his work is behind a desk, on Skype, or through emails, he can help out in Oak Grove. During this time, he realizes what is truly important and knows that changes need to happen.
“Maybe they were meant to spend this time apart, to each grow up separately, before they came back together.”
The chemistry has never left; both Jack and Casey are physically and sexually attracted to one another. Jack also is great with her son, Riley, and during an intense scene, he is the comfort she needs when handling turmoil. But will it be enough? What will Jack do with his Boston based business? Casey’s life is in Oak Grove, and she has made it plain that she isn’t leaving. Have these two reconnected only to be torn apart, or has fate given them a second chance to start over again?
“He couldn’t go back and fix the past, but he was finally going to reach out and grab his future.”
The Oak Grove series may revolve around the town of Oak Grove and the Bennett family and friends, but each story will read well as a stand-alone. While the story has its share of angst, memories, and romance, it also has the coveted happily ever after ending. The fifth story will be a second chance romance for estranged childhood sweethearts, Jack Murphy and Casey Patterson. But, can these two find their way back to each other, or will the past continue to haunt them?
Jack Murphy left Oak Grove, Pennsylvania, and has made a name for himself in Boston. He always has excuses for not returning, but a phone call, his father is in the hospital following a heart attack, will change everything. Jack is needed, and this time, he can’t make an excuse; he must return to Oak Grove.
Casey Patterson loved Jack, but he pulled away; while they both were grieving the loss of their son, Travis, she stayed, and he ran. Oak Grove is home, and it is where she plans to remain. She has friends, and now she has Riley depending on her.
The plot will bring Jack home to Oak Grove, and while most people are welcoming, Casey is aloof. She doesn’t count on him hanging around long, even with Sid’s health issues and the family business. But, Jack jumps back in and is helping. The town of Oak Grove is growing, with new businesses and neighbors, but it is still the same small town he left, where people know each other and care.
I loved all the angst, the memories, and the reconnecting that takes place between Jack and Casey. He is proud of what she has helped her father accomplish with Murphy’s Christmas Tree Lot and deserves the manager position. While Jack left, he did start his own business, and now many people depend on him—but he also has a partner and assistants to step in. Since most of his work is behind a desk, on Skype, or through emails, he can help out in Oak Grove. During this time, he realizes what is truly important and knows that changes need to happen.
“Maybe they were meant to spend this time apart, to each grow up separately, before they came back together.”
The chemistry has never left; both Jack and Casey are physically and sexually attracted to one another. Jack also is great with her son, Riley, and during an intense scene, he is the comfort she needs when handling turmoil. But will it be enough? What will Jack do with his Boston based business? Casey’s life is in Oak Grove, and she has made it plain that she isn’t leaving. Have these two reconnected only to be torn apart, or has fate given them a second chance to start over again?
“He couldn’t go back and fix the past, but he was finally going to reach out and grab his future.”
August 26, 2019
A poignant and touching story about life, love, family, losses, and forgiveness during Christmas time in Oak Grove. Even though this is a book five in the series, it is a standalone novel, only loosely connected to the first four books in the series.
Jack and Casey were young and in love ten years ago until the loss of their baby draws them apart. A successful businessman, Jack has avoided his hometown ever since he left to look for a new beginning, without the hole in his heart the sorrow of losing his child had created. He asked for Casey to go with him, but Casey could not think about leaving her Oak Grove, the town she loved.
Ten years of life and living without seeing Casey has been okay for Jack until his father's heart attack forces him to come home and face his past.
There is a lot of story and churning emotions fit into the novella. Jack is a good man, he has created a new business and work-filled life away from home. He is successful, responsible, and capable, providing jobs and making a livelihood. He sees his past mistakes and is willing to work on the issues, the hurt, and the healing that is required.
Casey is a lovely young woman, who has done her best to overcome the past, the pain, and the loss. She has a new focus in life, she has her place in the town, she is making a good living, with a job she loves, she has her son and she is willing to fight the world to keep him safe and happy.
I love how the author, with each story, is willing to dig deep, go to those places in mind and heart that the characters rather would hide, and out the aching feels and fears they hide buried inside. Jack and Casey have to have tough and difficult conversations with each other. There have to be the airing of the wounds of their hearts for them to heal, and they have to be willing to do the challenging thing, forgiving and learning to move on, to make compromises and sacrifices, to put each other, and the family, first when building up the future.
A tender and warm story, a tale of big emotions and passion for life, with Christmassy feels and scenery, the magic of the time for peace and love in the air
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
Jack and Casey were young and in love ten years ago until the loss of their baby draws them apart. A successful businessman, Jack has avoided his hometown ever since he left to look for a new beginning, without the hole in his heart the sorrow of losing his child had created. He asked for Casey to go with him, but Casey could not think about leaving her Oak Grove, the town she loved.
Ten years of life and living without seeing Casey has been okay for Jack until his father's heart attack forces him to come home and face his past.
There is a lot of story and churning emotions fit into the novella. Jack is a good man, he has created a new business and work-filled life away from home. He is successful, responsible, and capable, providing jobs and making a livelihood. He sees his past mistakes and is willing to work on the issues, the hurt, and the healing that is required.
Casey is a lovely young woman, who has done her best to overcome the past, the pain, and the loss. She has a new focus in life, she has her place in the town, she is making a good living, with a job she loves, she has her son and she is willing to fight the world to keep him safe and happy.
I love how the author, with each story, is willing to dig deep, go to those places in mind and heart that the characters rather would hide, and out the aching feels and fears they hide buried inside. Jack and Casey have to have tough and difficult conversations with each other. There have to be the airing of the wounds of their hearts for them to heal, and they have to be willing to do the challenging thing, forgiving and learning to move on, to make compromises and sacrifices, to put each other, and the family, first when building up the future.
A tender and warm story, a tale of big emotions and passion for life, with Christmassy feels and scenery, the magic of the time for peace and love in the air
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
December 16, 2018
This is a second chance romance Jack and Casey were high school sweethearts until a tragedy tore then apart and Jack left town without her not even returning to visit his parents. Ten years has passed and Casey now has a young son and raising him alone and Jack has become a wealthy businessman in Boston.
He is now returning home because of his father’s heart attack to help out finding out that Casey now manages his family business and they both blame the other for their breakup.
How will these two mend things they did not end their relationship well and now Casey has a son which we are not told a whole lot about. They don’t mention the father and if she did get pregnant she got pregnant right away after Jack left that’s the only thing I really wanted to know and it was not told in this story. Other than that this is a good second chance romance story.
He is now returning home because of his father’s heart attack to help out finding out that Casey now manages his family business and they both blame the other for their breakup.
How will these two mend things they did not end their relationship well and now Casey has a son which we are not told a whole lot about. They don’t mention the father and if she did get pregnant she got pregnant right away after Jack left that’s the only thing I really wanted to know and it was not told in this story. Other than that this is a good second chance romance story.
February 12, 2018
Jack and Casey fell in love as teenagers and they planned a life together until tragedy struck. It's been ten years since Jack left his grief and shattered heart behind in Oak Grove and he hasn't been home since. When the call comes that his dad has had a serious heart attack, Jack heads back to his hometown to run the family tree farm during their busiest season. Jack finds finds the family business being very capably run by the woman who broke his heart, and that she is the mom of an eight year old son.
I've loved every book in Nancy Stopper's Oak Grove series and One Last Gift gives a glimpse at the characters she brought to life in her earlier stories.
I received an ARC of this book from Nancy Stopper for an honest review.
I've loved every book in Nancy Stopper's Oak Grove series and One Last Gift gives a glimpse at the characters she brought to life in her earlier stories.
I received an ARC of this book from Nancy Stopper for an honest review.
July 9, 2022
One Last Gift! I could not put it down. I wanted to know what would happen next. I loved her spirit in it. I just wish this one was a little bit longer, it was a quick read. But with that said it was well written.
Nancy Stopper has become a favorite, I love how in this book even though it was a different family from the previous books, it tied in the Bennett family into this one as a guest appearance. She opened our eyes to another family from Oak Grove.
On to the next Book.
Chasing Dreams!
I invite everyone to join me at marandaballardauthor.com, I will have updates about my newest book as well as book reviews there too.
Nancy Stopper has become a favorite, I love how in this book even though it was a different family from the previous books, it tied in the Bennett family into this one as a guest appearance. She opened our eyes to another family from Oak Grove.
On to the next Book.
Chasing Dreams!
I invite everyone to join me at marandaballardauthor.com, I will have updates about my newest book as well as book reviews there too.
January 16, 2018
Enjoyable, heartwarming story set in Oak Grove - the wonderful town where so many have fallen in love! This is the 5th story in the series and set at Christmastime. Casey and Jack have a painful history, but Jack is drawn back to Oak Grove from Boston due to a family emergency and sees Casey once again. Is his life in Boston more important than making a life in Oak Grove with Casey?
This is a feel good story - something to get you into the holiday spirit!
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book, however, this is my honest opinion.
This is a feel good story - something to get you into the holiday spirit!
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book, however, this is my honest opinion.
February 11, 2018
One Last Gift is Book 5 in the Oak Grove series, which is great. However, you don't need to read the other books, to enjoy this story. It's a wonderful story of Jack and Casey, who have been apart for ten years, following a tragedy, but who still love each in their hearts. No cliffhanger and an hea. A nice addition to the Oak Grove Series.
I voluntarily received this Arc in exchange for an honest review.
I voluntarily received this Arc in exchange for an honest review.
December 11, 2018
What a wonderful Christmas gift!
This story truly found a place in my heart. Nancy Stopper sure knows how to write an emotional piece that has one thinking about it long after one closes the book. Filled with love, grief, disappointment and hope, Jack, Casey and Riley are sure to pull on your heartstrings this Christmas or anytime throughout the year. I really loved this story and cannot wait to read the rest of Ms. Stopper's Oak Grove series. Brava, Nancy!
This story truly found a place in my heart. Nancy Stopper sure knows how to write an emotional piece that has one thinking about it long after one closes the book. Filled with love, grief, disappointment and hope, Jack, Casey and Riley are sure to pull on your heartstrings this Christmas or anytime throughout the year. I really loved this story and cannot wait to read the rest of Ms. Stopper's Oak Grove series. Brava, Nancy!
May 8, 2021
One Last Gift
They had a hard past. She had been pregnant with his child. But lost the son. He took off for Boston and hadn't been back for ten years. Now he is here to make sure that his father is healthy after an heart attack. She is still there. Now working for his dad. He doesn't plan on staying. This is a second chance for the both of them. But will it end when the holidays are over?
They had a hard past. She had been pregnant with his child. But lost the son. He took off for Boston and hadn't been back for ten years. Now he is here to make sure that his father is healthy after an heart attack. She is still there. Now working for his dad. He doesn't plan on staying. This is a second chance for the both of them. But will it end when the holidays are over?
August 20, 2019
I absolutely LOVED this story! I absolutely loved Jack and Casey as well as Riley. This story is so full of every emotion. It was so nice to see some familiar Oak Grove faces but also meet a whole new group. I hope we get to visit this town again.
January 16, 2018
Can Jack and Casey have a future together when they meet again in Oak Grove? You will fall in love again with Oak Grove and the Bennett’s, thanks to Christmas’s magic
January 25, 2018
Loved this one. It was such a sweet romance between Jack and Casey. I so wish they had really talked to each other 10 years prior. Can you really forget the past and move forward?
March 9, 2018
This book is so good! This book is delicate and sweet. Above of all it is a second chance on a couple that has suffered so much.
A beautiful story!
A beautiful story!
August 3, 2020
Jack was not in any of the previous books so it has me confused. Anyway still a good read .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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January 2, 2021
Winter romance
Casey and Jack were headed to happily ever after but, the death of their child ruined it. The years later, Jack is forced to return home and face his past.
Casey and Jack were headed to happily ever after but, the death of their child ruined it. The years later, Jack is forced to return home and face his past.
November 2, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews