Can Connor show River a real family Christmas?When Connor finds River on the roof of the campus admin building, he doesn’t know what to do. His friend is drunk, and shouting into a snowstorm, a bottle of vodka in his hand. The easy part is getting River down; the hard part is insisting River comes home with Connor for Christmas. River doesn’t have a family, or any place outside of college that he … outside of college that he calls home. Not that it matters to him; he’s happy being alone for Christmas in his budget motel, watching reruns of Elf. Only, Connor keeps telling wildly improbable stories of the perfect family celebrations at his parents’ ranch in Texas, and it’s wearing River down. He didn’t ask to be kidnapped. He didn’t want to fall in love with the entire Campbell-Hayes family. But he does.
From one Christmas to the next. This is Connor’s year to rescue River, and himself, for them both to mess things up, make things right, fall in lust and finally, for Connor to show the man he loves what being part of a family can mean.
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Nothing like returning to the D for another serving of Christmas romance with beloved characters.
I loved it when I read it and even more when I listened to it.
It’s been a year since I read Home for Christmas but it all came rushing back to me as I became absorbed in the wonderful voice of Sean Crisden while listening to the audiobook. He will always be the voice of Jack – no one else could ever do Jack’s voice like he can. Of course, he does all of the other characters well, too – especially Connor and River. There isn’t much else I can say other than, just as when I read the book last year, the tears fell when I listened to it. Sad tears and ultimately happy tears.
Below is a copy of my original review from December 2018.
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Home for Christmas is RJ Scott’s latest story in her wildly popular Texas series. If you follow this series at all you have to read this one. It’s Connor’s story – one of Jack and Riley’s children and Lexi’s twin. If you haven’t read anything in this series Home for Christmas actually stands alone quite well. You maybe won’t get the same tingly, deep feelings when reading as I did but you will still enjoy it very much. I wouldn’t suggest reading any of the other books in this series out of order but this one will work.
The blurb tells you everything about the story except how heart wrenching it is to learn about River’s background. With no family of his own, he’s envious of what Connor has but still isn’t happy when Connor forces him to go home with him to Texas and witness the perfect family that he’ll never have.
I’ll never get tired of reading books set in this world. RJ Scott knows the perfect writing formula to grab at all of my emotions, make the tears fall, and deliver the perfect happy ending. Home for Christmas is another special gift to her fans of the Texas series. I can’t forget to say that there’s a dog in the story with a very cute name.
A copy of this audiobook was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***
River has only had himself to rely on for many, many years. With the end of college around the bend can River open his hear and let go of the demons in his past. Connor, college friend and study buddy, finds River on the edge of his rope and decides to bring him home with him for the holidays. But will being around a true family be too much for River to handle? Or will this be just the thing that can open his future to finding happiness and true love? Emotions run high with wonderful characters you cannot help but fall in love with. One of the best Holiday books I have read this season. Once again RJ Scott does not disappoint.
We get to follow Connor through his last year of college and the start of his relationship with River. Connor is so sweet and all he wants to do is make the world perfect for River. River has never had even a glimpse of the kind of family Connor has. He longs to be part of it and struggles with his jealousy over all the love and belonging that Connor has. I loved that even when River tried to run at what he perceived as a betrayal that Connor wouldn’t let go. I was more impressed that River was willing to listen and take a step of faith back into Connor’s arms.
This book started a bit strange for me. It didn’t take long before I got totally engrossed in the story. I felt like I knew each of the characters. Although the fathers are a bit too perfect, I imagine there are people just like them in the world. I’d like to see this turned into a series so I can follow,the maturation process of the various characters!
I really adore the Texas series by RJ Scott, the author always does an amazing story. This book shows what a wonderful, caring son Riley and Jack raised! Connor is getting ready to leave college on Christmas break when he sees River on the roof drunk. That one night at a party when they got together still burns in his mind, he wants more with River than friendship. Taking him home to the ranch maybe he can find out what was going on in Rivers mind to be on that roof in that condition.
River doesn’t have a family, he hasn’t told anyone his story. He’s in the world alone. Being with Connor’s big joyous family is a little much, he’s envious and maybe a little jealous of all their stories and memories. Connor is trying to break that wall down that River has built, show him friendship and maybe just maybe capture his heart like River has captured his.
This is such a good story, River and Connor falling in love, the family showing what family’s do, supporting one another. River wants to be a part of that, can he share his story and trust Connor with it and his heart?
Definitely the entire series is a must read, and this book is just as great as the others!!
I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH! It had a lovely plot down in RJ style with recognizable characters that truly show the connections continuing from the previous books. It was excellent, and I truly hope to see more about the Campbell-Hayes family in the future.
Kidnapped for Christmas
This was a great feel good holiday read. Connor is unbelievably sweet and River needs all that sweetness to act as a balm to soothe all the hurts his heart holds. I enjoyed seeing River being folded into Connor’s family because he was in desperate need of a place to belong. This touching story is a great addition to the Texas series
This was a great addition to the Texas series. In this book we get to see Connor all grown up and in love with his best friend. This story is a must read for anyone who has read the Texas series.
I was so excited when I heard we were going to once again visit the D! Reconnecting with Riley and Jack and all their kids. I love visiting this family.
In this story we have Connor, twin of Lexi . We also get to know River, who Connor has had a major crush on since first meeting him in the hall at college. It was reciprocated although that wasn’t obvious at the start.
Throughout this story we not only get to get to know River and Connor but we also get a front row seat to watching their relationship grow. There are some stops and starts, highs and lows but it is so well written that you just hang on for the ride. Mixing in with the close knit Campbell-Hayes family can be overwhelming and intimidating but the reward is well worth the large group dynamic.
This was such a great story. So much going on that you have to find out for yourself. I will not give away the big points as it would take away the experience for you.
Sit back, snuggle under a blanket and slip into the world of the Hayes-Campbell family and enjoy!
I was given an ARC is return for my honest review.
They only shared one evening. Avoiding each other afterwards and now face to fa.. back…
Conner has to save River who is standing in the snow on the edge of the roof, drunk and cold.
When he has him finally in his car he has a drunk, tired and reluctant River beside him… Conner is heading home for Christmas and this time not alone.
Home with a capital, because he has everything you call home.
River so conflicted… envied other families and can’t get enough of the stories he doesn’t have… he has other things… and absolutely don’t want to share his ugliness.
A sweet read with more than just sweetness. A perfect family, a great future… against a difficult past, loneliness, opposites so bad it’s almost impossible to be compatible.
With the environments of Christmas and a friendly kind family, some hurt and comfort, engaging characters, nicely developing and written in a appealing way… that’s exactly the right combination for a great Christmas Holiday story.
Read and reviewed for Signal Boost Promotions
I love stories that move from one generation to the next, and still get a peek at the older characters. Oh and Christmas, it was a sweet story of Connor and River. I liked that there was such a difference in them, not just their backgrounds. It was a quiet story about them, it just kept flowing and from their story to Christmas activities and back to them. It was sweet, hot and beautiful love story. I definitely recommend this book.