Countdown to Valentine's Day

Holiday Countdown #2

by Dianna Houx

As the most romantic time of year approaches, the arrival of new guests heralds both opportunities and obstacles to overcome. More prepared the second time around, Grace believes she has everything under control, until an unexpected guest brings heartbreak and despair. Will love ultimately triumph, or has the eternal flame been extinguished forever?

Find out how Grace handles her boyfriend's new girlfriend in an anti-Valentine's Day Experience!

Genres: Romance, Holiday, Fiction

213 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 26, 2023

Reviews

[Rose Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

(4.5) This was the second book in the Holiday Countdown Series. There are seven books in the series. I recommend reading the first book in the series first since it continues with the story with the second book. This can be read as a stand-alone since there are no cliffhangers and ending feels complete, but it is an interesting series that I know I plan on reading all seven books. It is a clean romance story based in a small town. It was lighthearted and heartwarming with some amusing humor. A bunch of great characters and a nice plot. Grace is the FMC and the protagonist.

[Tiffnicholle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was night and day from the first book. I'm going to continue with the series, but I definitely wasn't a fan of this one AT ALL. I still gave it 3 ⭐️ because I love the overall plot of the books and what the author is trying to do.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute love story, quick read!

[January · Rating 4 out of 5]

Countdown to Valentine's Day by Dianna Houx (2023)
Holiday Countdown #2
+203-page Kindle Ebook story pages 1-199

Genre: Holiday > Valentine's Day, Advent Novel, Family, Novella, Romance, Domestic Fiction

Rating as a movie: PG-13 for suggestive language

Featuring: Orphan, Recap of Previous Book, January, Ailing Grandmother, Tourism, Bed & Breakfast Inn, Guests, Valentine's Getaway, Relationships, Family Dynamics, February
Failing Small-Town, Community Coming Together, Relationship Drama, Vicenarian, Naivete, Event Planning, Octogenarians, Self-Actualization, April, Afterword - Letter from Author, Link to Free copy of Lessons from a Jilted Bride

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️📆☃️🐕🍷🌹💝

My thoughts: This was a single-sitting read. I was not expecting the Hunter storyline at all. At first I was a little upset about it but as the book went on it made a lot more sense and I appreciate her explaining her decision in the afterword. Overall this series is getting better and better it's kind of like a cozy mystery but for B&B event planning. I'm looking forward to the Easter book and I'm surely going to wait till the season to read it.

Recommend to others: Yes. This is the perfect palate cleanser throughout the year.

Holiday Countdown
1. Countdown to Christmas (2022)
2. Countdown to Valentine's Day (2023)
3. Countdown to Easter (2023)
4. Countdown to Mother's Day (2023)
5. Countdown to 4th of July (2023)
6. Countdown to Thanksgiving! (2024)
7. Countdown to Halloween (2023)
8. Countdown to Christmas Eve! (2025)
9. Countdown to New Beginnings (2025)
10. Countdown to a Wedding (2025)

Memorable Quotes: "Those two sure are funny," said Grant as he kissed his wife. "I'm going to head over to the office. I'll see you at lunch." Molly hugged him before saying goodbye, a look of adoration clear on her face. "Those two remind me of someone. I just can't quite put my finger on who," she mused. "Dorothy and Rose?" Grace asked innocently. "You know, from the Golden Girls," she said when Molly gave her a strange look. "Or were you thinking more like Thelma and Louise?" Molly laughed. "Both! Thelma and Louise when they were younger, and Dorothy and Rose now. Although Dorothy and Sophia might be more accurate." "Better not let them hear you say that. They'll spend weeks arguing over which one is Sophia. And don't for a second think they won't play that up, too!" "We can still hear you," Granny called out from the other room. Grace shook her head in mock indignation. "Look what you've done!"

“Oh!” Rebekah exclaimed. “I just texted my boyfriend to tell him I’m here, and he’s on his way to see me. Do you mind if we finish the tour later? I would like to freshen up before he gets here.” “Not at all; we were pretty much finished anyway,” Grace replied, confused by the revelation of a boyfriend. Didn’t Rebekah book the Valentine’s Day package for singles? It didn’t make sense she would do that if she had a boyfriend. “Um, is he planning on staying here with you?”

[Halle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 Stars

I just love a little holiday story!!

This town is just so adorable & gives me Gilmore Girls meets Hallmark vibes! However, I did enjoy the first book better than this one. I hope that the following books in the series are more holiday/hospitality based & not so much about our main character’s love life. She’s just so immature it’s cringey to read. Aside from that though, I really enjoy this series.

[Casey Schwartz · Rating 1 out of 5]

My own opinion, this book was just not for me. I could not connect with the characters or the story. But everyone is different and you may or may not like the story as well. The description of the book is on point so make your own decision on whether you want to read it or not. I did however appreciate the life lessons at the end of the story.

[Loreta Vician · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

I was hoping Grace and Hunter were “the” couple!! After the first chapter just couldn’t put the book down… had to find out more about Hunter after he came back . It was heartbreaking but I definitely recommend this book!!
Now to Countdown til Easter… oh what will it bring??

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started off a little confusing for me. Not sure if there was a me issue or what since I listened to this rather than read it. Grace is hosting an Anti-Valentine’s Day event. Her “assumed boyfriend” shows up after ghosting her for a while and comes back to town is drama on his heels. This is a cute little romance and in the end Grace gets her happily ever after.

[Rose Grabowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace is hosting an Anti-Valentines Day experience for guests celebrating their freedom as singles. To complicate matters she is also hosting her ex and his new girlfriend. It was a very engaging story with characters that had some fascinating backstories,

[Tree Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected turn

Very interesting. The depth of these characters grew from Book 1. Not what I expected but I still enjoyed it. Well done! I wonder what twist the next will hold …..

[Terry Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this was one exciting book. I wasn’t expecting this, but I was excited to see that it took a different turn besides the usual. It causes all different emotions which I absolutely love. Fantastic job by this author.

[Nisey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute love story

[Marissa D · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️

[Virginia Mae Benedict · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my!!!!

This just keep getting better and better. I love how the 2nd book is just a few months after the 1st book.

[Punky Dahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a very cute book.

[Abby Bannister · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another adorable read! This series is starting off so well, I look forward to continuing it throughout the year.

[Princesspint · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading, but with that being said it needs more spice and early on.

[Angieleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was mad at the author the whole book because of a sudden change of heart between two of the characters. It seemed out of nowhere after how much chemistry they had in the first book, but after reading her note at the end of the book, I finally understood her decision and it made sense to me.

I love second chance romances and this is definitely a second chance romance, filled with laughs, eyerolls, and one annoying influencer who had me ready to toss my laptop a time or two.

[Tam Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love seeing Grace build her own family.

[Becky]

DNF this book. I wasn’t interested at all

[Cheryl A. Rathbun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful & just right

Great series of books. I'm hooked! There's nothing to dislike... a wholesome read. Looking forward to reading the next one.

[Arlene Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's FAR better than #1 in the series.
Audible audiobook is in Virtual Voice

[Sue Kopczynski Gonnering · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read!

Grace and Molly sure know how to pull off a week of fun. Grace’s heart takes a hit, but a new love is in the mix.

[Tonya Crego · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute story in a small town setting. Enjoyed the book and a quick read. Looking forward to book 3.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

cute story.

[Ann Downing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

I loved this book. I am looking forward to reading the rest in this series. This Author hooks you in and keeps you wanting more. Again this book was amazing.