Taking the high road is a whole lot easier with someone to love… Queen Anne is beautiful—or will be, in about a thousand years. Certainly not in time to host the family Christmas gathering.
“Disaster” also describes the bad breakup that left her picket-fence vision in tatters. Even the carpenter she’s hired is a reminder of lost dreams—the high school crush who never spared her a passing glance. But she’s a grownup now, perfectly capable of keeping things professional.
Keiran O’Malley is back in Roses, North Carolina, lugging his own shattered dreams of home and family. Until he’s on his feet and ready to open his own Irish pub, serendipity finds him an attic apartment in Desiree’s fixer upper in exchange for his remodeling skills.
Roses is all polished up for the holidays, but nothing outshines the Cinderella beauty who owns the house. The spin of warmth between them is instantaneous…but their broken hearts may not be strong enough to build happiness on, especially when the past shows up to demand its share.
When two hearts get in a jam, it’ll take more than whiskey cake to sweeten the deal.
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I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it kept me engaged throughout. Because of a childhood that was wrought with the pain of drug addict parents, Desiree had a hard time opening up to new love. Keiran had a bad relationship that messed with him emotionally, along with regrets in his relationship with his parents. Seeing the two come together in a sweet romance has all the feels. As they overcome their emotional issues and begin to trust each other, the light of love shines through.
Desiree’s heart and new home are in shambles. But when her brother in law gets her old high school crush to rent a room in exchange for getting the home fixed up by Christmas, things get interesting. Will Desiree catch the eye of Keiran who never noticed her in high school and will her heart and home be ready by Christmas? A nice story of restoration of heart and home. I received a complimentary copy and I am voluntarily reviewing.
This second book in Josie Riviera’s Flipping for You series made me run the gamut of emotions. I cheered on the budding relationship and despised the ex-girlfriend. I was heartbroken when it looked as if the self-centered ex may win back her guy and elated when the nice girl won.
This story, like the first, takes place in small town North Carolina. Attractive and very single attorney Desiree Contando has purchased an old Queen Anne home that needs much work to restore it to mint condition. Her brother-in-law has hired Keiran O’Malley, a former resident of Roses who is moving back following a break-up with his ex-girlfriend, to help with the project. He has excellent carpentry skills and needs a temporary place to live while making plans to reopen his family’s former Irish Pub, and there is space for him in Desiree’s home.
Real life emotions get in the way of their plans to maintain a professional relationship. They learn that they have much in common and feelings between the two grow well beyond that of two people working toward a common goal. When the former girlfriend appears in town to try and win Keiran back, he quickly realizes that he would be a fool to let Desiree go.
With the exception of the intentionally unlikeable girlfriend, the characters in this story are people I’d like to know. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and watching the romance unfold. This is a novella, so expect things to move more quickly than they would if you were reading a full-length novel.
Once again, I was able to request an advance copy from Ms. Riviera who generously provided me with one. I also purchase some of her books but love to get my hands on an early copy when I can since I enjoy them so much. Early access does not have any impact on my opinion of her work or require me to write a review. All opinions stated are my own.
What a romantic read! Great characters in a small cozy town. Two people who need each other after a broken relationship and a broken childhood. A wonderful story of healing and loves conquering hold! A must read!
Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
1-800-CHRISTMAS is another wonderful story in the Flipping For You series. Desiree finds Keiran talking to her porch after she tells him to go since he is not an electrician! These are two well matched, well-written characters that I really enjoyed. Add the rambling, crumbling, Queen Anne fixer-upper home and a few characters from the first book and sit back and enjoy this charming tale. I did hate to see a scheming woman profit from Keiran, but this was a wonderful story.
Another excellent book by this author. It grabbed my attention from the beginning. The sparks fly between the two main characters from the moment she catches him talking to her porch. Plenty of light-hearted moments with some soul searching for the characters as well. Highly recommend!
I received an arc of this book. My opinions are my own.
This is another really awesome story by this author and second in the sweet romance series Flipping for You.
I love this story and from begging to the end it was a page turner as you just wanted to keep reading.
I love the heroine who is the sister of the heroine in the first series and she buys the old Victorian house in need of a lot of work a couple houses down from her sister.
The hero comes back home and to reopen his parents run down Irish Pub but finds he has one job to do when he arrives for the lady who needs someone to work on her old Victorian she just bought.
He is offer her attic apartment to live in while he is working on the house.
Sparks start flying the moment she opens the door to the guy she had a huge crush on in high school who didn’t even know she existed.
The sparks are flying everyday and then when you least expect it something or someone of course just has to step in to put a synch in everything
But well don’t all these stories do that. It is so good and I loved every bit of it.
I received this ARC from the author to read but in no means was I encouraged to write a review, but I loved this story so how could I not? I wanted to write this and it is my honest and unbiased opinion.
It’s a delightful Christmas story!
Desiree has finally found a home,
she can call her own. Doesn’t even
matter that it needs a lot of work.
Her brother-in-law arranged for someone
to help with renovations. Keiran, was from the wealthy side of town. Desiree has liked him since High School. But he never ever noticed her. Now Keiran is moving back. And he’s a carpenter.
This can make for an awkward situation.
Will Keiran notice the beautiful adult, Desiree is today. Can Desiree give Keiran
a chance & get to know him.
I enjoyed reading this Christmas story!
A MUST READ FOR EVERYONE!!
I truly loved this story from Josie Riviera. I was caught up with the characters as soon as I began reading and could not put the story down. Characters were well developed and continued to develop throughout the story line. A great holiday read!!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1-800-CHRISTMAS by Josie Riviera
Book starts out with Desiree and she realizes she’s overeatten near the holidays…She now owns a house that is need of repairs and is a lawyer.
Her sister, foster kids have not had a real Christmas as their parents were alcoholics. Now that her sister is married her brother in law helps with getting a man staying at the house while bringing it up to date.
Keiran shows up, an Irishman and she remembers him from high school-the rich kid. He’s left his last girlfriend and hopes to work enough so he can buy and run his own store. His parents run a bar and serve food.
They spend time together as in a date after the work day has finished. Love how she sprinkles Christmas all over the house-it sounds very festive with his hel of the huge tree.
His father wanted him to pursue his football career and Keiran just wants to open his own pub and cook food. He has many special family recipes and they sound delicious.
She needs a stable guy and Keiran doens’t even know if he wants to do carpentry or run the pub so she needs to set him straight…
Love baking contest they have set up in town for others to select a winner. This story can go either way with their continued relationship… His ex shows up and wants a portion of his money that she’s not earned and there are other disturbing details.
When he ends up leaving town with the ex Desiree has no idea if he will even return for Christmas. She prays to God to make a miracle occur as he’s the only one that can.
Bonus recipe included. Love how determined she is to make this a special Christmas.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end. Excerpt for 1-800Cupid is enclosed. About the author is included.
I received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.