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Blue Ridge Christmas
In Blue Ridge Christmas, Holly Helm is a single mother running a toy store and an inn in her hometown of Orchard Falls, Georgia, after the tragic loss of her husband five years ago. Christmas is Holly’s favorite time of year, and she channels her passion for the holiday into both of her businesses, creating a warm, festive atmosphere for her guests and customers.
When Greg Ward, a cynical New Yorker who despises the holidays, is sent to Orchard Falls to assess a property for a potential resort project, he and Holly couldn’t be more different. While Holly embraces the magic of Christmas, Greg is all business and wants nothing to do with the holiday cheer. However, as Greg gets to know Holly and her young daughter, Gracie, the spirit of the season—and Holly's infectious charm—begin to soften his heart.
As sparks start to fly between Holly and Greg, they both have to confront their pasts and their differing lifestyles. Holly wonders if a man who hates Christmas could ever be part of her life, while Greg contemplates whether a small-town life filled with love and family could be exactly what he's been missing.
This heartwarming romance is about finding love in unexpected places and rediscovering the joy of the holiday season.
When Greg Ward, a cynical New Yorker who despises the holidays, is sent to Orchard Falls to assess a property for a potential resort project, he and Holly couldn’t be more different. While Holly embraces the magic of Christmas, Greg is all business and wants nothing to do with the holiday cheer. However, as Greg gets to know Holly and her young daughter, Gracie, the spirit of the season—and Holly's infectious charm—begin to soften his heart.
As sparks start to fly between Holly and Greg, they both have to confront their pasts and their differing lifestyles. Holly wonders if a man who hates Christmas could ever be part of her life, while Greg contemplates whether a small-town life filled with love and family could be exactly what he's been missing.
This heartwarming romance is about finding love in unexpected places and rediscovering the joy of the holiday season.
130 pages, Paperback
Published September 21, 2022
About the author
Rachel Hanna
112 books3,341 followersRachel Hanna is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of clean Southern women's fiction. She has published over 54 books and sold more than 2.5 million copies worldwide.
Her stories are set on the coasts of South Carolina and Georgia and in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia. Her heroines are often starting over in midlife, and they find new friends and sometimes new love along the way. The romance is just kisses. Readers say her books feel like coming home.
New readers usually start with The Beach House, book 1 of her South Carolina Sunsets series.
Rachel lives in North Georgia with her husband of almost 30 years and two spoiled rescue dogs. When she isn't writing, she's out in the garden or hunting for blue and white pottery in an antique shop.
Her stories are set on the coasts of South Carolina and Georgia and in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia. Her heroines are often starting over in midlife, and they find new friends and sometimes new love along the way. The romance is just kisses. Readers say her books feel like coming home.
New readers usually start with The Beach House, book 1 of her South Carolina Sunsets series.
Rachel lives in North Georgia with her husband of almost 30 years and two spoiled rescue dogs. When she isn't writing, she's out in the garden or hunting for blue and white pottery in an antique shop.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
December 25, 2020
Delightfully cheesy and entirely predictable, but I expected no less.
December 30, 2023
This was a cute Christmassy romance. It was a short story. If the editing had been better I would have given it five stars. I liked the ending and how the story turned out. It was a clean romance, entertaining and a quick read.
Holly Helm is a widow and mother to 8 year old Gracie. Holly lives in the small town of Orchard Falls located in the Blue Ridge Mountains. To support her self and Gracie she runs the family toy store in town and also a small Inn near by.
Holly has always loved Christmas and in fact her birthday is on December 24th. Then a grumpy man rents a room in her Inn and Holly learns that he doesn’t like Christmas. Greg Ward is a good looking man who wears the nicest smelling cologne that makes her want to sniff the air whenever he walks into the room. There’s things she doesn’t know about Greg. He tells her he works for a magazine based in Atlanta Georgia and that he’s in town to write an article about how the town of Orchard Falls celebrates Christmas. He really works for an investor out of New York City and he’s been sent to Orchard Falls to find property that would be suitable to build a resort on. He thought he would be in and out of town in a week. He didn’t plan on falling for a pretty widow and wanting to get to know her and her daughter better and spend time with them. Then there’s the lie he told her about being a magazine journalist. What will Holly think when she learns the truth?
Readers of Christmas romance, women’s fiction and contemporary romance will enjoy this story.
I downloaded a free copy in a Christmas giveaway given by a group of Authors. All opinions shared in this review are my own.
Holly Helm is a widow and mother to 8 year old Gracie. Holly lives in the small town of Orchard Falls located in the Blue Ridge Mountains. To support her self and Gracie she runs the family toy store in town and also a small Inn near by.
Holly has always loved Christmas and in fact her birthday is on December 24th. Then a grumpy man rents a room in her Inn and Holly learns that he doesn’t like Christmas. Greg Ward is a good looking man who wears the nicest smelling cologne that makes her want to sniff the air whenever he walks into the room. There’s things she doesn’t know about Greg. He tells her he works for a magazine based in Atlanta Georgia and that he’s in town to write an article about how the town of Orchard Falls celebrates Christmas. He really works for an investor out of New York City and he’s been sent to Orchard Falls to find property that would be suitable to build a resort on. He thought he would be in and out of town in a week. He didn’t plan on falling for a pretty widow and wanting to get to know her and her daughter better and spend time with them. Then there’s the lie he told her about being a magazine journalist. What will Holly think when she learns the truth?
Readers of Christmas romance, women’s fiction and contemporary romance will enjoy this story.
I downloaded a free copy in a Christmas giveaway given by a group of Authors. All opinions shared in this review are my own.
December 10, 2022
very good Hallmark style book
"You don't know about the spirit of Christmas? Haven't you ever felt that? It's that feeling that everyone is getting along and loving each other and helping each other. It's that feeling of togetherness like you're a team. It's a feeling of hope and faith and excitement in the air."
Greg and Holly come together when he staying at her Inn while he is looking for land to buy for a resort for the company he is working for. Thing is Holly and people who live here want it to remain unchanged. Can they get past their differences. Read Blue Ridge Christmas to find out .
"You don't know about the spirit of Christmas? Haven't you ever felt that? It's that feeling that everyone is getting along and loving each other and helping each other. It's that feeling of togetherness like you're a team. It's a feeling of hope and faith and excitement in the air."
Greg and Holly come together when he staying at her Inn while he is looking for land to buy for a resort for the company he is working for. Thing is Holly and people who live here want it to remain unchanged. Can they get past their differences. Read Blue Ridge Christmas to find out .
November 30, 2023
This is a cute, quick Christmas read. It's cheesy and predictable, but I was here for it! I took off a few stars because some of the plot is contradictory (road closure due to blizzard, yet the holiday bazaar had record breaking numbers?) and the plethora of typos is very distracting. I love this author but wish there was better editing!
December 9, 2021
The little story was nice, but there were too many typos! My goodness! Also how can you have a record crowd at the bazaar and a blizzard that closes the road at the same time? Hmmm….
December 18, 2023
Good Hall.ark type story
Loved the cheesy story, just what I needed. However the book has so many typos, wrong words that it was distracting.
Loved the cheesy story, just what I needed. However the book has so many typos, wrong words that it was distracting.
November 26, 2024
Based solely on the hallmark-y, Christmassy vibes ⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 28, 2026
Would be 5 ⭐️ but she needs a new editor. So many errors that were missed
November 26, 2023
Perfect Christmas read, small towns, Christmas spirit and life changes.
November 10, 2023
Predictable, very hallmark...but a fun read! 🎄
October 22, 2024
A good Christmas read
Oh, ir there were really that many hours in a day that Holly has! Honestly, a nice read for Christmas.
Oh, ir there were really that many hours in a day that Holly has! Honestly, a nice read for Christmas.
July 24, 2025
Nothing like a good Christmas book in the middle of summer! I love Rachel Hanna’s books!
October 12, 2025
I love sweet Christmas stories and was looking forward to this one. However I had trouble finishing it. It was too contrived and formulaic and needed editing for continuity.
December 25, 2023
It's definitely a recommended read! Look forward to more of the series by Rachel Hanna
December 6, 2023
Better than any Hallmark Christmas Movie
This was the book I chose to start to kick off December and January. I always choose Christmas themed books.
This book didn't disappoint. I felt transported into a magical
Christmas story and fell in love with the characters and hoped and prayed for the ending which I got.
Good way to kick off the holiday season
This was the book I chose to start to kick off December and January. I always choose Christmas themed books.
This book didn't disappoint. I felt transported into a magical
Christmas story and fell in love with the characters and hoped and prayed for the ending which I got.
Good way to kick off the holiday season
November 21, 2023
If your a fan of Hallmark movies, you’re going to love this predictable trope.
December 30, 2021
Great Christmas Romance
When Holly's husband is killed in an accident, she takes her 3 year old daughter and returns to the small town where she grew up. She takes over running her aunt's toy store and also buys an Inn. When her Aunt dies, the toy store and the Inn provide just enough income to keep her going. There are rumors of a company wanting to buy property to develop as a resort which would put her Inn out of business. Then just a few weeks before Christmas Greg comes to town claiming to be a reporter from Atlanta doing a story on Orchard Falls. He hates Christmas as much as Holly loves it, but he enjoys her company and helps her at the Inn and Toy stores and with the holiday bazaar and finds himself enjoying the small town, the people, Christmas and the time he is spending with Holly and her daughter, Gracie. When his boss orders him to closets deal on the property or be fired, Greg makes some life changing decisions for all involved. Thoroughly enjoyable read.
When Holly's husband is killed in an accident, she takes her 3 year old daughter and returns to the small town where she grew up. She takes over running her aunt's toy store and also buys an Inn. When her Aunt dies, the toy store and the Inn provide just enough income to keep her going. There are rumors of a company wanting to buy property to develop as a resort which would put her Inn out of business. Then just a few weeks before Christmas Greg comes to town claiming to be a reporter from Atlanta doing a story on Orchard Falls. He hates Christmas as much as Holly loves it, but he enjoys her company and helps her at the Inn and Toy stores and with the holiday bazaar and finds himself enjoying the small town, the people, Christmas and the time he is spending with Holly and her daughter, Gracie. When his boss orders him to closets deal on the property or be fired, Greg makes some life changing decisions for all involved. Thoroughly enjoyable read.
January 6, 2021
Quaint
A Christmas read about Insta love in a small town that celebrates Christmas. It was a quick read, a feel good story about love catching two very different people by surprise and the change in them it facilitated. The story is a short shot in the life of these characters and I felt that I was asked to care for them without a good basis. The story line itself was good and I get the sacrifice a writer must make with a short story but it just did not draw me in. Even so it is still a good story so if you are looking for a quick read I would recommend it.
A Christmas read about Insta love in a small town that celebrates Christmas. It was a quick read, a feel good story about love catching two very different people by surprise and the change in them it facilitated. The story is a short shot in the life of these characters and I felt that I was asked to care for them without a good basis. The story line itself was good and I get the sacrifice a writer must make with a short story but it just did not draw me in. Even so it is still a good story so if you are looking for a quick read I would recommend it.
December 24, 2021
Heartwarming!
This was a very cute, quick read. Holly loves Christmas. Greg, a guest at her inn, hates it. In the short time he’s in town, he gets to know Holly and several others residents. He learns more than he ever wanted to know about traditions, giving, and doing what’s right. Anyone can have a change of heart, right? About small towns, everything Christmas, and your own life choices. Feelings start to develop between Holly and Greg, but both agree nothing can happen because he’s leaving soon. Besides, Greg has a big secret.
This was a very cute, quick read. Holly loves Christmas. Greg, a guest at her inn, hates it. In the short time he’s in town, he gets to know Holly and several others residents. He learns more than he ever wanted to know about traditions, giving, and doing what’s right. Anyone can have a change of heart, right? About small towns, everything Christmas, and your own life choices. Feelings start to develop between Holly and Greg, but both agree nothing can happen because he’s leaving soon. Besides, Greg has a big secret.
December 16, 2019
Christmas everyday come true!
This is an amazing Christmas love story of hope and true love, winning out over greed! Bruce sent Greg to do a job, his lie got his heart in over his head and Holly was taking by his charming ways, that Greg didn't know he had. Gracie, Aimee and Beetle along with the whole town took Greg by surprise and He gain his love in this mountain town of The Fall!
This is an amazing Christmas love story of hope and true love, winning out over greed! Bruce sent Greg to do a job, his lie got his heart in over his head and Holly was taking by his charming ways, that Greg didn't know he had. Gracie, Aimee and Beetle along with the whole town took Greg by surprise and He gain his love in this mountain town of The Fall!
November 4, 2022
Mountain Town
Rachel Hanna knows how to write a story to keep you entertained and wanting more. This novella tells the story of a single overworked mom and a bitter businessman. The book revolves around Christmas and the start of a relationship between two people who have nothing in .common. The story is cute and has a nice happy ending. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Hanna's books!
Rachel Hanna knows how to write a story to keep you entertained and wanting more. This novella tells the story of a single overworked mom and a bitter businessman. The book revolves around Christmas and the start of a relationship between two people who have nothing in .common. The story is cute and has a nice happy ending. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Hanna's books!
December 16, 2022
The Best Christmas Ever
I enjoyed this story so much. Everybody likes a love story with a happy ending.
I think the ladies in my family and my friends would enjoy reading this book.
I look forward to your next book.
Enjoy your dream come true of living in the North Georgia Mountains. I envy you getting to live my dream.
I enjoyed this story so much. Everybody likes a love story with a happy ending.
I think the ladies in my family and my friends would enjoy reading this book.
I look forward to your next book.
Enjoy your dream come true of living in the North Georgia Mountains. I envy you getting to live my dream.
May 1, 2020
This story is right out of a Hallmark movie!
Cute.story. I'm glad that Greg screwed his boss out of the resort deal! Bruce wasn't acting like a friend at all. It was nice to realize money wasn't important to Greg as it was to his boss
Cute.story. I'm glad that Greg screwed his boss out of the resort deal! Bruce wasn't acting like a friend at all. It was nice to realize money wasn't important to Greg as it was to his boss
December 31, 2020
A Cute Happy Read
I loved everything about this lil Christmas read that warmed my heart on a cold winter’s night. Holly is all Christmas cheer and Greg is all grinch. Can the two come to an agreement after falling head over heels? Lovely.
I loved everything about this lil Christmas read that warmed my heart on a cold winter’s night. Holly is all Christmas cheer and Greg is all grinch. Can the two come to an agreement after falling head over heels? Lovely.
November 29, 2021
Great book. Only one thing, at the beginning of the book, Holly’s husbands name was Paul but when she starts talking to Greg about him in Chapter 3, his name is Alan.
This is a cute, short read. Love the storyline and the characters.
This is a cute, short read. Love the storyline and the characters.
January 22, 2022
Loved it!
Loved the novel. Rachel's books never disappoint. Read this one in 1 day. Ready to start another one. Where do I start ?I have finished the beach HOUSE SERIES. READY FOR ANOTHER SERIES .
Loved the novel. Rachel's books never disappoint. Read this one in 1 day. Ready to start another one. Where do I start ?I have finished the beach HOUSE SERIES. READY FOR ANOTHER SERIES .
December 5, 2019
Review of Blue Ridge Christmas
This was a very cute story and I will recommend her books to anyone who loves romance novels. She keeps you involved from page one until the end.
This was a very cute story and I will recommend her books to anyone who loves romance novels. She keeps you involved from page one until the end.
December 7, 2019
Blue ridge Christmas
A nice little story. Rachel has a way with make you wanting more. Thank you Rachel for all your hard work
A nice little story. Rachel has a way with make you wanting more. Thank you Rachel for all your hard work
December 13, 2019
Very sweet
I enjoyed this very sweet Christmas story. This made my heart feel happy that it turned out wonderful in the end.
I enjoyed this very sweet Christmas story. This made my heart feel happy that it turned out wonderful in the end.
September 30, 2020
very good
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews