When Emilee Lancaster’s aunt calls her home to Hope Creek for the holidays, Emmy readily agrees to assist with a charity event at the family theater—until she finds herself front-and-center stage with her high-school-flame, Jayson Taylor. She’s not thrilled about the pairing, but she’s made a promise to her aunt, and unlike Jayson, she keeps her promises.Jayson Taylor makes his living building … building sets for Dahlia Brewster’s Family Theater. When the Christmas show’s emcee falls ill, Dahlia asks Jayson to step from the backstage and into the limelight. He’s more comfortable working behind the scenes, but the country-singing superstar has always treated him like a favorite son, so Jayson reluctantly agrees. Center-stage at Christmas—especially beside dream-chasing Emmy Lancaster, who once ran off and broke his heart—is not where he planned to be.
But God has other plans, and what happens when the curtain falls and the stage lights dim truly reflects the heart of this holiday season.
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I love Mary Manner’s books. They are all so sweet and full of hope. I love her characters and settings, and always wish I could step into her stories and live there.
Emmy and Jayson shared a kiss years ago and heard the chapel bells ring – a sign of true love. Emmy left town, but returned when her aunt asked her to come home and started in a Christmas production. She was caught off guard to find her co-star was a last minute substitute, and was Jayson. Emmy and Jayson have to decide if the years apart were too many, or if they still have a future and will hear the bells ring again.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, but was not required to post a positive review – all opinions are my own.
With Bells On is a well-written second-chance romance. Emilee (Emmy), Jayson, Aunt Dahlia, and Max the mastiff are great characters. Max adds touching moments as well as humorous ones. Aunt Dahlia definitely has matchmaking in her repertoire of skills. Jayson and Emmy still have feelings for each other, but what will it take for the couple to act on them? I loved the legend of the chapel bells and the sweet ending of the story. I would definitely read more from Mary Manners and recommend this book to clean romance readers, Christian romance readers, and to lovers of all things Christmas.
I got a copy through KU and am sharing my opinion of this delightful and fairly quick read romance.
With Bells On by Mary Manners
(Love at Christmas Inn, Book 3)
When Emilee Lancaster’s aunt calls her home to Hope Creek for the holidays, Emmy readily agrees to assist with a charity event at the family theater—until she finds herself front-and-center stage with her high school flame, Jayson Taylor. She’s not thrilled about the pairing, but she’s made a promise to her aunt, and unlike Jayson, she keeps her promises.
Jayson Taylor makes his living building sets for Dahlia Brewster’s Family Theater. When the Christmas show’s emcee falls ill, Dahlia asks Jayson to step from the backstage and into the limelight. He’s more comfortable working behind the scenes, but the country-singing superstar has always treated him like a favorite son, so Jayson reluctantly agrees. Center-stage at Christmas—especially beside dream-chasing Emmy Lancaster, who once ran off and broke his heart—is not where he planned to be.
But God has other plans, and what happens when the curtain falls and the stage lights dim truly reflects the heart of this holiday season.
This is Emilee Lancaster and Jayson Taylor’s story.
Emmy Lancaster settled back in the leather seat of the posh limousine her aunt Dahlia had sent to fetch her from McGhee-Tyson airport.
The fuss hardly seemed necessary— a simple rental car or even a taxi would have sufficed for the short ride into Hope Creek.
But Aunt Dahlia wouldn’t hear of such a thing, insisting on only the best for her favorite niece.
Jayson Taylor tossed the extra length of a two-by-four aside and brushed sawdust from his hands, then retrieved a fistful of nails from the tool belt slung low across his hips.
With each swing of the hammer, he muttered a mantra. “What… why… how do I get myself into these fixes?”
“You’re gonna lose a thumb that way, boss.” Manny Lawson glanced up from the opposite side of the set platform they were constructing for Dahlia Brewster’s upcoming charity Christmas show.
I recommend reading.
With Bells On by Mary Manners is a wonderful well written 5 star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Mary Manners.
I received a complimentary copy of the book and was under no obligation to post a review.
I particularly love stories about Christmas or set at Christmas time! This book is no exception. The characters are wonderful and well-developed. You will thoroughly enjoy this book. I voluntarily read an advance copy of this book and the opinion is my own.
Years ago Emmy left town to pursue her dreams and Jayson did the supportive thing and let her go.
Forced to spend time together, they start to talk.. and remember.
Each still loves the other, but is it too late to be a couple?
When Emmy and Jayson shared their first kiss, they heard the chapel bells – a sign of true love. Then Emmy left to chase her dreams while Jayson stayed. When Emmy’s aunt asked her to come star in the Christmas production, she didn’t know her co-star would be Jayson. Will the past remain in the past or can dreams change? I liked that both Emmy and Jayson listened to God’s voice. This is a sweet story that I would recommend.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review.