Can she show this engineer how to build a home?Jason Regan is a man on the go. Excluding his high school years in Holly, Idaho, he’s never settled in one place. Building his engineering company requires a lot of travel, so when he returns to Holly to visit his aunt and pay a decade-old parking ticket, he’s not planning to stay for Christmas. The judge’s ruling changes that—he’s assigned community … assigned community service at an animal shelter requiring his skills.
Former lawyer Tess Evans moved home to pursue her true calling—managing the Forever Home Animal Shelter. The shelter is chronically underfunded and understaffed. So, to raise money and awareness, she organizes a ‘Home for the Holidays’ adoption event at Holly’s Christmas festival. Getting a skilled volunteer at such a critical time is a gift and Tess takes full advantage. Their to-do list is long, and not falling in love is number one.
As their attraction grows, they keep forgetting Jason’s stay in Holly is temporary. Can Tess, a lonely terrier named Neville and some Christmas magic change his mind?
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An easy to read enjoyable clean Christmas romance. Especially loved the rescue shelter residents contribution to the story.
I’m in my happy zone every time I begin a new series. Amplify that a bit when the new series is by an author who I trust to deliver a good, entertaining, and heartwarming set of books that will take me away on another adventure. A Home for the Holidays is the beginning of the Holly, Idaho series – and who can’t love a series (this time of year) set in a small town called Holly?
Tess, Jason, and a pup named Neville are about to wind themselves around your heart as this series opens with a ‘never going to stay in one place’ man meets a ‘found her heart’s home’ woman – emotions are going to erupt and personalities clash as Tess and her rescue dogs show Jason that there is more to life than business and constant travel.
Who knew that paying a long-overdue parking ticket would result in having to stay in town, go to work at an animal shelter, or lose his heart to a woman he never saw coming – Jason certainly didn’t expect to stay in Holly or to fall in love but fate has something else in store for him, perhaps a happy ever after for a lifetime.
A Home for the Holidays is full of laugh out loud moments, precious pups in need of a forever home, small-town living in all its complex glory, and two people who really do compliment the other as they work alongside each other to find just the right home for the animals at the shelter — and maybe for each other as well. I had fun, and believe you would, too. I’ll definitely be returning for the next story in Holly, Idaho.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from Tule Publishing. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
I loved this story from the first chapter. The characters are touching; the plot is captivating. A thoroughly terrific novel.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
If you haven’t noticed from my recent reviews, I find it hard to turn down a holiday romance. When I read the description of this one, I will admit I though “Hallmark movie”. And I wasn’t wrong. Not that that’s a bad thing. It means this story is very sweet, which also isn’t necessarily a good thing. In my mind, it means this story is neither great or bad; it’s an entertaining holiday romance with some adorable animals thrown into the mix.
The main characters, Tess and Jason, are wonderful. I enjoyed them both from the start. They have a low-key chemistry that keeps this story moving along. But, most likely because of the length of this story, that connection lacked depth. The chemistry was there but wasn’t deep or intense. Here’s the thing though…I felt like this author has what it takes to make that deeper connection. That’s why I think it’s lack had to do with the amount of words she was given to use.
While slightly outlandish, the storyline was fun and engaging. Jason took things in stride much more than I would have expected, and I actually appreciate that. Sometimes I just don’t feel like dealing with a grumpy hero. And the author did a great job portraying Jason as a man who would take his licks when he knows he deserves them.
Tess and her family seem to have a tight bond and an interesting back story. Again, I felt that was missing. And again, I felt it had to do more with word count than ability. I would have loved to have delved into how losing their mother has shaped who Tess and her sisters are. Maybe in the next book? I can only hope.
So, while this new-to-me author didn’t blow me away, I found this story to be a sweet escape from the real world for a little while.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
This is the first book in a new series based in Holly, Idaho and WOW what a wonderful start to a series this is. Tess Evans runs an Animal Shelter that runs on charitable contributions and grants. Right now at the end of the year, she is waiting to find out if she can empty the shelter and win the grant she needs. Then we have Jason Reagan who has come back to Holly on a 10-year traffic warrant. Yes you heard that right 10-year-old warrant. The judge sentences him to work at Tess’s Shelter Forever Home, for 100 hours. Oh yes, he has to do it all before December 24th too. Good thing his Aunt Mae lives there in Holly and is so happy to see him. Of course, he has no idea that Tess had a thing for him back in high school and now he just might have a wee bit of a thing for her as well. This is one of those books that as soon as I finished it, it had me wanting to go to the closest shelter and pick out a new friend. I am so looking forward to the next book in this series. I sure hope we get to see what happens in Coach Mutt’s life.
I received this arc from Tule Publishing in exchange for an honest review. I thoroughly enjoyed this first book in a new series by Jeannie Watt. The story takes place in Holly, Idaho and introduces the 3 Evans sisters. Tess Evans runs the Forever Home Animal Shelter. She is a lawyer but after getting her degree she hated practicing it in Chicago and really missed her hometown. She has a much loved collection of dogs and cats. Jeannie provides such touching descriptions of each that the reader wants to adopt as well.
Jason Regan returns to Holly to pay a 10 year old parking ticket that he thought he took care of. While there he plans to have dinner with the aunt he lived with during high school before returning to work in San Francisco. The judge took a firm stand and sentenced him to 100 hours of community service at the animal shelter. Jason and his partner have a small engineering firm and Jason normally travels a majority of the time. With this sentence he has to stay in Holly for 12 1/2 days to do his community service. This makes his partner very nervous and causes them have to change their plans.
He arrives at Forever Home Animal Shelter and sees Tess and feel like they had met before. Back in high school Tess had a big crush on him and one of the other girls blurted it out and embarrassed her. Tess tries to act like they’ve never met but then he remembers. He didn’t know about the crush and so when she mentioned that she embarrassed herself. At first Jason was getting lots of calls from his partner at work. Tess told him he would need to make up the time for his phone conversations. She needed him to make repairs to the building as well as build a structure for an upcoming festival where she would try to get people to adopt her animals.
Jason works hard at his assigned tasks and he and Tess spend a lot of time together. He also becomes attached to one of the dogs, a terrier named Neville. Neville is known as the escape artist but he’s different with Jason. Jason takes him for runs, walks him and keeps him with him while he is working. He learns that his aunt has missed him and he helps her with her holiday decorating.
Tess is trying to get a community grant for the shelter. In order to do so, she has to empty out the shelter. Between herself, her staff and Jason they try to feature the dogs and cats for adoption. Her final chance is going to be at the festival where she will be featuring the remaining animals. Tess realizes she has come to depend on Jason and he will soon be leaving. Jason realizes that he has fallen for her but doesn’t know if she reciprocates his feelings. Unfortunately, he too knows his time in Holly is drawing to a close. How this will be resolved is a question. As most of animals become adopted, what Neville’s fate will be is also a question.
I highly recommend this book and I look forward to the next book in the series. Jeannie did a wonderful job developing the characters and introducing us to the other people they interact with. I love the storyline and the animal descriptions. I have given this book 5 stars.
This is the first book in a new series set in Holly, Idaho It is a heart a small town romance that will have yoy hoping that they will get a HEA and of course Neville the dog steals the show
Tess Evans may have become a lawyer but at heart she is a small town girl so she has returned to her roots in Holly and has taken over the Forever Home Animal Shelter where she follows her heart The shelter is underfunded and understaffed but she is determined to try to find homes for all of the animals for Christmas and the perfect opportunity is to run a stall at the towns Christmas festivities. Jason Regan has an aunt who lives in Holly and that was about the only settled place he remembers and he hasn’t changed but now he is travelling all the time to build up his engineering company He returns to visit his aunt and pay a long outstanding parking ticket the only problem is that the judge sentence him to community service and that service is to work on Tess stall. Can she teach this wandering man that home isn’t actually a building but is the home you build and the people in it and can they help but fall in love You will have to see if they get a HEA or if he walks away.
I loved this new debut book series set in Holly,Idaho .I love small towns where everyone knows everybody.When Jason comes home to pay an outstanding driving ticket ,he gets a surprisingly ruling from the Judge.
If you enjoy Hallmark Christmas movies you will love A Home for the Holidays (Holly, Idaho #1) by Jeannie Watt. What’s more, it is a story that has multifaceted characters who are also likable. Then there are the adorable four-legged ones too! This traditional story line is interesting with relationship intrigue. Knowing this is a romance, you know it will have a HEA but it is not so clear how that will happen. Keeps you reading.
I will say community service for a parking ticket even a ten year old one had me scratching my head. Still I guess it could happen. It brings Jason and Tess in contact with each other which is important to the whole story. Only a bit of drama so this sweet story is easy on the heart, uplifting, bringing a smile to your face.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A Home for the Holidays by Jeannie Watt
Can she show this engineer how to build a home?
Jason Regan is a man on the go. Excluding his high school years in Holly, Idaho, he’s never settled in one place. Building his engineering company requires a lot of travel, so when he returns to Holly to visit his aunt and pay a decade-old parking ticket, he’s not planning to stay for Christmas. The judge’s ruling changes that—he’s assigned community service at an animal shelter requiring his skills.
Former lawyer Tess Evans moved home to pursue her true calling—managing the Forever Home Animal Shelter. The shelter is chronically underfunded and understaffed. So, to raise money and awareness, she organizes a ‘Home for the Holidays’ adoption event at Holly’s Christmas festival. Getting a skilled volunteer at such a critical time is a gift and Tess takes full advantage. Their to-do list is long, and not falling in love is number one.
As their attraction grows, they keep forgetting Jason’s stay in Holly is temporary. Can Tess, a lonely terrier named Neville and some Christmas magic change his mind?
This is Tess Evans and Jason Regan’s story.
“Hold on!” Tess Evans hung up the phone as her dad attempted to open the door to Forever Home while balancing two cinnamon lattes and carrying his toolbox. Pete Evans had a proclivity for doing things on his own, be it raising three motherless daughters or opening a door with his hands full. He was usually successful, but in this case, he was about to lose a latte.
“Really, Dad?” Tess said as she rescued the top cup of steaming coffee just before it toppled.
“I almost made it.” Tess took the other cup from him and set it on her desk.
Jason Regan checked his watch as he waited for his case to be called. After his fine was set and he was excused from the courtroom, he’d call his business partner, Dylan Crane, to get an update on where they were on their active projects. Hopefully, there’d be no fires to put out and he’d be free to spend the evening with his aunt, helping her with her Christmas decorations before diving into unanswered emails.
Tomorrow morning he’d be on a plane back to the Bay Area.
The courtroom was nearly empty. Apparently, there hadn’t been a crime wave in Holly, Idaho, since he’d last been there, which, according to Aunt Mae, was too long ago.
I highly recommend reading.
A Home for the Holidays by Jeannie Watt is a wonderful well written 5 star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Jeannie Watt.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
4.5
Cute and fun
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Neville
Part of a series: Holly, Idaho
Standalone
HEA
I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from Tule Publishing.
This new series takes us to Holly, Idaho, a small town where everyone knows you and where Tess Evans lives.
Tess, a former lawyer and hometown girl, left her stressful job in Chicago, to return home and manage her grandmother’s dream, the Forever Animal Shelter.
Jason Regan , an engineer who owns a successful company and a man always on the go, spent four years in Holly . While his parents were in digs around the world, he lived with his aunt. Now he’s in town to settle a decade old parking ticket and visit his aunt . He’s shocked when he’s assigned 100 hours of community service at the Forever Animal Shelter.
At first, Jason doesn’t remember Tess from HS, but she definitely does. She had a crush on him .
As the two start working together to make repairs in the shelter, while also trying to get a grant for it, feelings develop. The imaginary crush becomes a real attraction and maybe more.
But when an emergency takes Jason back West, Tess is left realizing she loves him. Will Jason come back ? Will Holly be willing to leave the home she loves to find her true love?
This was a heartwarming ,sweet, clean , romance that will touch your hearts. You will meet the wonderful rescues and fall in love with Neville, the terrier.
I can’t wait for the next story in this series.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Tule Publishing. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
A Home for the Holidays by Jeannie Watt was a fun and enjoyable Christmas related romance. While most of the book was predictable, I found myself enjoying it as if I hadn’t ever read anything similar. The characters especially, were endearing and complex at the same time. I knew there would be a happy ending however, I wasn’t sure how Jason and Tess would get there. So, there was the intrigue in that aspect. I have read this author many times previously and always enjoy her stories, characters and premises. I’m probably in the minority, but I don’t like a lot of angst in my romances unless I’m reading a specific genre where I know it will be prominent. That said, this book has a bit, but not too much.
As the Christmas aspect of this book goes, I loved it. I love the holiday season and everything that goes with it. For me, Christmas romances are a part of my holiday traditions and I start reading them as early as September. Christmas comes and goes to quickly as far as I’m concerned.
Tess runs the local animal shelter. While she does have volunteers, she could always use more help. There is always some task needing to be done. But her biggest worry is whether or not she will receive the grant she applied for. The town council will only award her the money IF she finds homes for all the remaining animals at the shelter by Christmas Eve.
Jason has come back to Holly to visit his aunt and pay a parking ticket fine. A decade old fine. Instead of a monetary penalty, the judge requires Jason to spend 100 hours helping at the animal shelter. While Jason pays his dues, he finds himself enjoying the time spent with furry friends. One furry friend, in particular. In addition, Jason is growing feelings for Tess. But that is not a good idea since he is planning to go back to California in a couple of weeks.
I enjoyed watching Tess and Jason become more than friends. Jason was an amazing character; a gentleman and a thoughtful and considerate man. Tess was a great match for him in every way. This was such a sweet story and I recommend it for anyone looking for a sweet, holiday romance.
This is my honest and unbiased review and I thank you for taking the time to read it. 🙂
If you like small town romances, then Jeannie Watt’s A Home for The Holidays is the perfect read. This is the story of attorney-turned-animal-shelter-manager Tess Evans, who returns to her hometown to manage the animal shelter that was begun by her grandmother. The small-town life of Holly, Idaho fits Tess like a favorite sweater. She fills her days finding forever homes for her sweet cats and dogs. Her nights and weekends are shared with her sisters, being sure their widowed father is well. She’s working hard to meet the goal of everyone adopted by Christmas, to earn much needed additional funds.
Additional help appears when Tess’ old crush, local boy turned engineer, Jason Regan receives a community service sentence from Judge Nelson. One hundred hours to be served at the animal shelter! Jason’s infraction… a ten-year old parking ticket whose payment was lost in the mail. Is it the Judges’ way of helping the shelter, or is it his way of making Jason stay in Holly, thus spending more time with his beloved Aunt Mae, who is close friends with the Judge? Maybe it’s both. Feelings stir, hearts open, and events complicate Tess and Jason’s age-old dance.
I’m so happy that I read this beautiful story! I’m also thrilled that it’s book 1 in the new Holly, Idaho series! Holly, Idaho is a delightful setting, full of quirky and lovable secondary characters. Neville, the sweet, but energetic Jack Russell Terrier deserves his own book! Jeannie Watt has written a sweet, lovable story! It’s so easy to read! So easy to love! Jeannie Watt.. thank you so much!
“A Home for the Holidays” takes us to Holly, Idaho where we meet Tess Evans and Jason Regan.
Tess loves the small town life. After giving up the big city and her career as a lawyer, she’s back home to run a pet rescue that was started by her grandmother.
Jason hasn’t been back in Holly for years, preferring the city life and his work as an engineer, which has him travelling a lot. But now, due to a snafu and a court appearance, he’s back for Christmas.
Tess and Jason work together at the pet rescue, trying to find a way to receive a grant to keep the shelter afloat.
They have to decide if a winter romance will last more than a season.
Ms. Watt writes an entertaining story with engaging characters – human and animal alike.
I can’t wait to visit Holly, Idaho again.
This is book one of the Holly Idaho series. I was given an advance reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my review, and I must say this book is a great start off book for the series, a real page turner that should really get another half star even if it’s on enjoyability alone.
Great characters, great story line, and of course the pets up for adoption might just tug your heartstrings a little giving some positive reasons you should not miss this one.