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Love in Unity Springs #1

Yours at Yuletide

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︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

Coming home for the holidays was never supposed to mean falling in love.

Charlotte Wilson is in her very last semester of college. Distractions are completely out of the question, which is what makes everything about Oliver Hull a very bad idea. The local firefighter is so far out of Charlotte's league that he should be classified as a different species. Handsome, charming, and dangerously persistent, Oliver is everything Charlotte cannot handle right now.

The small town of Unity Springs is overflowing with Christmas Spirit, and Oliver's work at the fire station is keeping him more than busy. Then along comes Charlotte Wilson, and Oliver's aspirations fall to the wayside in his pursuit of just. One. More. Kiss.

When tragedy strikes, Oliver and Charlotte's budding relationship is put to an unexpected test. Why does Charlotte keep running away from everything that makes her heart glow? Love and happiness are within her grasp. Is she strong enough to reach out and take it?

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

There’s always something happening in a town as small as Unity Springs. Immerse yourself in a snowy wonderland filled with love and laughter this holiday season as Bestselling Author, JOSEPHINE BLAKE, crafts a BRAND NEW SERIES that will steal your heart and warm your soul.

Love in Unity Springs, Book Two, SECOND-CHANCE SANTA arrives on December 20th, 2019.

92 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 3, 2022

188 people are currently reading
103 people want to read

About the author

Josephine Blake

39 books58 followers
Josephine Blake is a bestselling author and award-winning graphic designer. She enjoys a quiet life on a comfortable piece of property in her very own small-town in the Willamette Valley.
With over 23 published books in the romance genre, Josephine works hard to make sure her stories bring a little more love into this crazy world.
She and her husband spend most days chasing their little one around their farmhouse with thankful hearts.

Notable Works:
Josephine Blake’s debut Historical Romance novel, Dianna, hit the shelves in August of 2016 and became a bestseller two years later. Her Gothic Historical Romance novel, A Brush with Death, followed suit later that year in 2018. Yours at Yuletide became her very first Contemporary Romance release in the winter of 2019.

She’d love to hear from you. Shoot her an email at admin@awordfromjosephineblake.com

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5 stars
70 (41%)
4 stars
49 (28%)
3 stars
37 (21%)
2 stars
11 (6%)
1 star
3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for OpenBookSociety.com .
4,098 reviews134 followers
December 24, 2021
https://openbooksociety.com/article/y...

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra

Yours in Yuletide by Josephine Blake is the first title in the Love in Unity Springs series, first of her contemporary romance books (other genres include historical romance and gothic historical romance) and the first of her writing I have read. I must say that overall I enjoyed her writing style and of course, I am a sucker for a good contemporary romance. Combine this with the holiday theme and I am good.

Charlotte Wilson is home in Unity Springs for the holiday season (she is just finishing up her last semester at college) with the only expectation to help her father in the family owned hardware store and enjoy Christmas with her dad and sister. Oliver Hull is the deliciously handsome firefighter that Charlotte must not fall for (right…) as she is just too busy with finishing school… Need I say more?

I found Charlotte a bit stiff/rigid in the beginning. She thought that she had to concentrate only on school to the exclusion of participating in other parts of her life (i.e. dating). It is good to be focused but really – one must experience life fully… and that includes being vulnerable to matters of the heart. Especially with such a hunky guy! I did however, love the family interactions. The portrayal of the family bond was heartwarming. Especially in the face of tragedy (sorry – not giving it away – not even with a spoiler alert – one will have to read this little treasure themselves to find out what happened to the family).

What can I say about Oliver – one must love and appreciate this hard working man in protecting his community, while putting himself in potentially dangerous situations. And it does not hurt that he is portrayed as a hunk.

I quite enjoyed that for such a short read – the romance portion seemed to progress at a reasonable rate and did not feel rushed. Additionally, the conclusion of the story was satisfactory…love abounding (of course).

I would have to say the biggest reason I gave the book a “3” for a rating was that it was too short! I wanted more. However, if you are interested in a short read with engaging characters and an engaging, slow romance – then pick up Yours in Yuletide, get a hot beverage and settle in your comfy chair for a delightful read.
Profile Image for Harmony.
417 reviews7 followers
April 21, 2021
2 very unenthusiastic stars

This is a story told strictly from Charlotte's POV. The book suffered for it because she's a raging b**ch. She's an immature neurotic mess. She led poor Oliver on knowing the whole time that she didn't want to be in a relationship. Her countless excuses ranged from his job, to her schooling, to not knowing where she was going to teach.

I HATE when women knowingly date men in dangerous careers and then whine about it being dangerous. OMG. It's not like he suddenly became a firefighter after you started dating. You knew what he did from the moment you met him! Don't accept a date if you can't handle his career.

I sort of hated her.

As much as I hated her, I adored Oliver. He deserved somebody better than this neurotic mess. He's an amazing character. He was so patient with Charlotte and steadfast. I have no idea what he saw in her. He should have ran when she raged at him in the hospital after he got hurt. Who does that?

Considering how short this book is, the author spent too much time on Charlotte being a neurotic b**ch and not enough time on the romance and her getting over herself. When she finally does in the final chapter of the book, it was rushed and unbelievable. The epilogue takes place one week later. What?!?! Why even bother?

There were good bones in this books. It just needed more time to marinate. I don't see this couple going the distance with what we were shown. They'll be broken up within a couple of months and it'll all be her fault.

I'd give this book 1 star but I did finish it (since it's so short). So, 2 stars it is.
Profile Image for Marie.
5,080 reviews52 followers
December 28, 2020
Just one kiss...

Charlotte is totally focused on finishing her teacher training so she never thought returning home for Christmas would be life changing. She never expected to meet him, her heart recognises Oliver immediately but her feelings terrify her and her head tells her to run. She is confused, how can she feel so much so quickly and why when she has to return to school? Your heart goes out to her, you can feel her inner struggle and the fight between her head and her heart.
Oliver knows as soon as he meets Charlotte that she is his future and whilst he is a little surprised, he embraces it and is fully on board. It is a welcome change to have Oliver welcoming his feelings and embracing them, rather than running from them.
This is a sweet, enjoyable Christmas romance which I read on Kindle Unlimited
267 reviews
December 17, 2019
Yours at Yuletide

A brilliant story about a firer fighter Oliver and a local girl Charlotte who just returned home from college at school break in Portland. Oliver and Charlotte both find themselves attracted to each other and soon begin seeing each other but Charlotte seems to hold back her feelings she thinks his job his dangerous and she can't be with someone she could love then lose. The characters portrayed are very sincere and you can't help but love them all, her grandmother father and sister are a very close knit family and it reflects throughout this book. It's a beautifully written sweet Christmas story.
Profile Image for Theresa.
1,547 reviews44 followers
November 17, 2020
A short and sweet Christmas story. Charlotte and Oliver have instant chemistry but the timing is all wrong. Christmas and love would not let them give up. I liked that every time Charlotte would run away from Oliver and the love she obviously felt, that Oliver would give her a little space and then come back to show her that he wasn't giving up.

This story also seems to give hints into other stories. I wonder if every member of Charlotte's family will get their own book?

This book would be perfect for so many book challenges. With a title that starts with Y and being under 100 pages, it fills in spots that are tricky.
Profile Image for Carol.
834 reviews1 follower
December 10, 2019
You're at Yuletide

A sweet Christmas time story. When Charlotte returned home in school break from college she only planned to visit with her family, help in her Dad's hardware store and study some. A local fire fighter Oliver met her in the store Charlotte wrote him off as too good for her. Oliver started to pursue her and they find so much in common but can Charlotte handle his risky job and the long distance romance?
Profile Image for Delbora.
1,458 reviews6 followers
December 21, 2019
Great Christmas Romance

This is the first book I've read by this author and I really enjoyed it. It is such a wonderful romance. Immediate attraction that quickly turns to love despite fighting against it.
Profile Image for Kayler Rose Publishing.
33 reviews
January 27, 2020
Love this book! It is a perfect Christmas town. I loved the struggles that Charlotte and Oliver had to work through to get their happily ever after. The characters and the town came alive in this book and made me want to visit Unity Springs. I would highly recommend this holiday story.
148 reviews
August 11, 2020
Charlotte does not want a relationship.

Charlotte is leaving town soon. This is her last semester before she becomes a teacher. She definitely does not want a relationship right now.No distractions. But Oliver is sweet.
Profile Image for Michelle Ferrari-Johnson.
1,559 reviews39 followers
August 26, 2020
Conquering Fears

Awe, nothing like a Christmas love story to see you through the day. Charlotte and Oliver find true love quickly and not too easily. Her worries about his job come true and it looks like he may lose her permanently ~
Profile Image for Michelle.
596 reviews3 followers
August 31, 2020
Wonderful holiday romance!

I so loved this holiday romance! It had genuine characters and a plot you didn't want to stop reading. Blake writes a beautiful story and I would read more from this author.
Profile Image for Barbara.
1,591 reviews21 followers
November 8, 2020
Enjoyable

This is a new author to me and the story was enjoyable. Charlotte is home for the holidays and not interested in starting a relationship. Oliver is a firefighter and is very persistent in his pursuit of Charlotte. The story seemed to end rather abruptly, though.
Profile Image for Kathy.
8 reviews1 follower
November 13, 2020
Loved the book!

I enjoy Christmas stories. This story was full of hope and warmth that is part of Christmas. Family is so important for us. I would recommend this book. I plan to read the next one in the series.
2,866 reviews11 followers
November 15, 2020
I found this to be a heart wrenching story about overcoming the fears that imprison us. The ending is okay, but short of completely satisfying to me. I wonder if a sequel exists or was planned.

Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Romantic. Scary. Unpredictable. Wonderful characters.
Profile Image for Angieleigh.
973 reviews120 followers
August 12, 2025
This was a quick, easy read that I finished in one sitting. I do love a good Christmas romance and this checked all the boxes for me.

I adore this author's historical romances and was really missing the town of Adoration, but Unity Springs sounds like a cute little place I'd like to visit!
1,107 reviews5 followers
November 6, 2020
This was a delightful novella which was easy to read. The plot flowed well in and around the believable characters with good chemistry. I enjoyed reading it.
723 reviews
November 7, 2020
Love at first sight.

A short but sweet story as romance comes unexpectedly. It was love at first sight . I thoroughly enjoyed this story as a break from more serious reads.
Profile Image for Kathy.
2,519 reviews17 followers
November 7, 2020
This sweet clean story is one of overcoming fear to find love.
377 reviews5 followers
November 8, 2020
Fun and clean

Lighthearted sweet clean holiday read. Good for an escape from all the chaos going on around the election! Recommend to read
60 reviews
December 7, 2020
Very enjoyable

Well written romance that had a cosines about it. My only complaint is that it wasn’t longer. I recommend it.
1,034 reviews1 follower
December 15, 2020
Short and sweet

To short! So sweet. Fun read about Charlotte and Oliver meeting and hitting it off from the very first conversation!
Profile Image for Renate Deutsche Oma.
1,380 reviews
July 23, 2022
New author to this reader. Short holiday story and romance. Ok characters within a limited time frame making for a choppy read and abrupt ending.
311 reviews2 followers
December 30, 2020
Is Fun

A fun, festive story for the the most part. Good details and believable characters. I really enjoyed the family interactions.
Profile Image for Andra Weis.
758 reviews14 followers
October 9, 2022
https://openbooksociety.com/article/y...

Yours in Yuletide by Josephine Blake is the first title in the Love in Unity Springs series, first of her contemporary romance books (other genres include historical romance and gothic historical romance) and the first of her writing I have read. I must say that overall I enjoyed her writing style and of course, I am a sucker for a good contemporary romance. Combine this with the holiday theme and I am good.

Charlotte Wilson is home in Unity Springs for the holiday season (she is just finishing up her last semester at college) with the only expectation to help her father in the family owned hardware store and enjoy Christmas with her dad and sister. Oliver Hull is the deliciously handsome firefighter that Charlotte must not fall for (right…) as she is just too busy with finishing school… Need I say more?

I found Charlotte a bit stiff/rigid in the beginning. She thought that she had to concentrate only on school to the exclusion of participating in other parts of her life (i.e. dating). It is good to be focused but really – one must experience life fully… and that includes being vulnerable to matters of the heart. Especially with such a hunky guy! I did however, love the family interactions. The portrayal of the family bond was heartwarming. Especially in the face of tragedy (sorry – not giving it away – not even with a spoiler alert – one will have to read this little treasure themselves to find out what happened to the family).

What can I say about Oliver – one must love and appreciate this hard working man in protecting his community, while putting himself in potentially dangerous situations. And it does not hurt that he is portrayed as a hunk.

I quite enjoyed that for such a short read – the romance portion seemed to progress at a reasonable rate and did not feel rushed. Additionally, the conclusion of the story was satisfactory…love abounding (of course).

I would have to say the biggest reason I gave the book a “3” for a rating was that it was too short! I wanted more. However, if you are interested in a short read with engaging characters and an engaging, slow romance – then pick up Yours in Yuletide, get a hot beverage and settle in your comfy chair for a delightful read.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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