From matchmaking carolers to a festive lights competition, four bestselling authors explore the magic of the holidays in these heartwarming small towns. The Perfect Christmas by Carolyn Brown Rugged cowboy Landon Griffin can’t help being smitten by single mom Dixie Boudreaux and her baby girl. To help win their hearts, he wants to give them both the perfect holiday at Longhorn Ranch — baking … he wants to give them both the perfect holiday at Longhorn Ranch — baking cookies, trimming the tree, building snowmen, and the whole works. But when nothing seems to go right, he might need a Christmas miracle to help him out of the mess.
Joy to the World by Hope Ramsay
Retired music teacher Brenda McMillan has lost her holiday spirit, but reluctantly agrees to fill in for the director of the Magnolia Harbor Christmas Chorale — even though Dr. James Killough, the town’s biggest Christmas enthusiast, is the group’s accompanist. Will he have enough Christmas magic to mend her broken heart?
Home for the Holidays by Rochelle Alers
Pastry chef Iris Nelson is looking forward to spending Christmas on Cavanaugh Island with her best friend’s family. But she wasn’t expecting to celebrate with their very handsome visitor on leave from Afghanistan. Is their attraction just the glow of the season or a gift to enjoy forever?
A Christmas Cowboy at Heart by A.J. Pine
For Deputy Sheriff Daniela Garcia, no hometown tradition makes her happier than the Meadow Valley Holiday Light Parade. This year she’s planning for the sheriff’s office to have the most dazzling lights. But when the new mayor — and certified grinch — threatens to cancel the event, Dani will have to show him the true meaning of Christmas.
A Little Country Christmas, by Carolyn Brown, A.J. Pine, Rochelle Alers, and Hope Ramsay, contains four amazing small town holiday novellas and the magic of the season. Carolyn Brown’s The Perfect Christmas pairs cowboy Landon Griffin with single mom Dixie Boudreaux and her baby girl. He is determined to win their hearts by giving them the perfect holiday at Longhorn Ranch at Longhorn Ranch; baking cookies, trimming a tree; checking out the holiday lights, building snowmen, etc. When things start to go wrong, Landon looks for a Christmas miracle and some magic to help him win over Dixie. A.J. Pine’s Cowboy Christmas at Heart pairs up Deputy Sheriff Daniela Garcia with her high school crush, Coop, who is now the mayor of Meadow Valley. Daniela has her work cut out for her to convince Coop to keep the Holiday Light Parade, discover why he has become a Grinch, and show him the true meaning of Christmas. Rochelle Alers’ Home for the Holidays has pastry chef Iris Nelson enjoying life on Cavanaugh Island and excited to spend the holidays with her family and her best friend, Tracy. Iris never expected the handsome Collier Ward, on leave from Afghanistan and Tracy’s brother, to sweep her off her feet. These two will have to determine if their attraction is part of the magic of the season or a forever gift of true love. Hope Ramsay’s Joy to the World features a seasoned couple. Retired music teacher Brenda McMillan has long lost her holiday spirit, but reluctantly agrees to become the director for the Magnolia Harbor Christmas Chorale for Dr. James Killough. James is not only the town’s biggest Christmas enthusiast he’s also the group accompanist. As James and Brenda spend time playing music and dating, they find a connection, an attraction, sizzling chemistry that draws them together. James just hopes he can work some Christmas magic to help mend Brenda’s broken heart.
Each story is a perfect representation of a series written by the author. All of these stories are new, standalone novellas, written within each author’s world. I found these stories to be well written, have a great storyline, amazing characters, and wonderful holiday magic. You will find romance, emotions, attraction, and sizzling chemistry within each story and they will have you wanting to seek out other books by these amazing authors. I thoroughly enjoyed reading all of the stories in A Little Country Christmas and I highly recommend the anthology to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
What could be better than discovering four heartwarming Christmas themed romances in one place? A Little Country Christmas comes brimming with a quartet of romances by four different authors, and each is delightful in it’s own right. Each a bit different than the other, but the main premise of each is love finding it’s way into these couples hearts during the holidays. From the first page to the last this book kept me thoroughly entertained. Four happily-ever-afters to leave my heart swimming in feels and holiday cheer!
I highly recommend you let this one find it’s way into your hands, it’s four wonderfully penned stories promise to bring you feels, blushes, swoons, holiday cheer, bits of drama, loads of happiness!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.
I was so excited about this book. Four stories about Christmas! And one of the authors is a favorite. Carolyn Brown is still a favorite and now I have added Hope Ramsey to that list. The Perfect Christmas by Brown and Joy to the World by Ramsey stand out with Christmas cheer, traditions and an overall holiday feel. From blizzards to carols, both stories put me in the holiday mood. The other two stories left me disappointed. Home for the Holidays was more involved with fashion and sex. Not my cup of tea. Cowboy Christmas was enjoyable but I felt it needed a prequel and definitely a sequel. The story felt incomplete. I will probably try another book by A.J. Pine. A Little Country Christmas is a holiday book but reader beware. The stories include, death, divorce, domestic violence and PTSD episodes. I could use a little less sadness and a lot more happiness in today’s world. I voluntarily received a copy of this book from Netgalley
Four Novellas in one book, totally worth getting. Each journey quite different in it’s presentation and characters, but all with that wonderful HEA I love.
Great compact reads to get you into the Christmas spirit. Get comfortable, get hot chocolate and get infused with Christmas
Loved reading Landon and Dixie’s story and so very sad for the series to end as I have truly enjoyed it =-) now on to the rest of these books and the lovely authors that wrote them – all are favorites of mine too!
I received an early copy of this book from NetGalley, this is my honest review.
I really enjoyed reading these Christmas stories. You’ll definitely want to pick of this book and endulce in these sweet Christmas romances.
I have read several books by Carolyn Brown and AJ Pine, and they were the big draw for me. I was very pleased with the stories written by the other two authors as well. Each story is unique with its own set of characters and plot. Consider it an early Christmas present from these great authors!
What a delightful collection!
I knew I had to read this one when I saw that two of the included novellas were set within series that I had previously read, so I was familiar with these characters. I loved both those stories, and I enjoyed the visits to their familiar settings. The two new ones were also terrific, and I plan to read more by those authors.
The Perfect Christmas by Carolyn Brown
This was a sweet, low-angst novella about finding a reason to put down roots. Landon is the surprise brother to two of the cowboys in the Longhorn Canyon series, and we met Dixie in one of the earlier books. It was so great to see both these familiar characters find their HEA, and especially nice to see them together.
A Christmas Cowboy at Heart by A.J. Pine
This selection was the best of the collection in terms of character and emotional development. Dani and Peyton had an almost-thing back in high school, and now that he’s back in Meadow Valley they have a chance to pursue that still-simmering connection. There’s a bit of a tragic back story that is gently addressed as the major internal conflict. I really enjoyed the way the community came together to celebrate the holidays, and their HEA was especially satisfying.
Home for the Holidays by Rochelle Alers
Iris considers but ultimately walks away from a one-night-stand with the handsome stranger despite their intense chemistry, only to find out the next day that he’s her best friend’s brother home on leave for the holidays. Her past makes a new relationship difficult at best, and Collier’s plans also prevent him from settling down for a while, so their HEA requires that they address and resolve several major issues first. I loved the double family merger with the secondary romance. Her family really conveyed the spirit of the holidays.
Joy to the World by Hope Ramsay
This compelling novella focuses on an older couple in their late 40s/early 50s with grown children, which was a refreshing change. Jim is tasked with convincing Brenda to lead the Christmas Chorale, despite her long-standing, deeply emotional aversion to all things Christmas. My only complaint with this story was Jim – the local doctor – and his relaxed discussion of his patients’ ailments as they related to his availability, a clear HIPAA violation by today’s standards. Other than that, this was a wonderful romance with a heartfelt HEA.
Altogether, this is a substantive anthology that highlights all the best aspects of the Christmas holiday, and I heartily recommend it. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
This anthology is all about the Christmas spirit. So many have lost their way but Carolyn Brown has sent Landon Griffin to help Dixie Boudreaux and her little girl the traditions and meaning of Christmas. Rochelle Alers has pastry chef Iris Nelson just making it through life and helping her friend. Collier Ward is making a surprise visit to his sister. Little did they know he is suffering from PTSD and trying to decide what to do with his life. Love was not in the cards but it came anyway for these two broken souls. A.J. Pine has Deputy Daniela Garcia who competes against the town for the best Christmas display. Peyton Cooper is back home and the new mayor. He is a bah humbug person. and whenever the two come in contact, sparks are flying. It takes a leap of faith to bring these two together. Hope Ramsay has Brenda McMillian, the town scrooge, being conned into helping the Christmas choir perform. The holidays have brought her nothing but heartache. Dr. James Killough keeps smiling through all his heartbreak. Fake it to you make it. He is determined to bring joy to Brenda and in the end he does. Loved reading this whole set.
A Little Country Christmas is a book of four novellas that will put you in the mood for the Holiday Season. Each novella will warm you from head to toe! I have read other books from Carolyn Brown but the other authors are new to me! It is always nice reading new authors!! I will look for other works from them. This book has a wide range of storylines that will please everyone. It is a quick read that will make you smile and even shed a tear or two! It is almost like watching a Hallmark Christmas movie!! So if you are looking for a pleasant way to ease into the Holiday Season and reading I would recommend you pick this one up!!
Thank you NetGalley and Forever/Hatchette Book Group for an advanced copy of this spirited collection of Holiday Stories. My opinions are my own and unbiased.
#ALittleCountryChristmas. #carolynbrown
#hoperamsey #rochellealers #ajpine
#foreverhatchettepublishing #christmasnovella
Perfect bite sized pieces of holiday cheer with fewer calories, but always better when accompanied by a Christmas treat.
A Little Country Christmas was an enjoyable collection of holiday romances covering a variety of tropes.
Overall average rating — 3 Stars
The Perfect Christmas by Carolyn Brown — 2 Stars
Cowboy Landon Griffin fell for single mom Dixie Boudreaux the minute he saw her. And after he finds out Dixie hasn’t experienced many of his favorite Christmas pastimes, he makes it his mission to give Dixie and her little girl the perfect holiday season. I knew going into this story that I probably wouldn’t love it as I typically do not enjoy romances where one of the main characters has a baby. And while I loved the idea of Landon showing Dixie some of his favorite Christmas activities, unfortunately a large number of those activities are centered around Sally, Dixie’s little girl. So in this case, it was only due to my own preferences that I did not enjoy this story and if you’re someone who likes babies in your romances then this story would definitely be more up your alley.
Cowboy Christmas at Heart by A.J. Pine — 3 Stars
Deputy Sheriff Daniela Garcia loves her hometown’s traditions with her favorite being the Meadow Valley Holiday Light Parade which she plans for the sheriff’s office to win this year. But Meadow Valley’s new mayor plans to get rid of the event if Dani can’t change his mind. I enjoyed this story, particularly the character of Dani. She’s smart, great at her job, and speaks her mind. Unfortunately I didn’t love the hero of the story, Peyton Cooper. He initially comes across as someone who thinks he’s better than the small town’s other residents which didn’t endear him to me. He did get better as the story goes on, but due to the shortness of the story there wasn’t enough time for me to overcome my initial feelings on him. But overall this was a cute story and I will be checking out more from the author in the future.
Home for the Holidays by Rochelle Alers — 3 Stars
Iris Nelson is looking forward to spending her first holiday season on Cavanaugh Island. She wasn’t expecting to start a romance with her best friend’s brother, on leave from Afghanistan. Iris is a fantastic character and I loved her relationships with her family and best friend. She works as a pastry chef and listening to her describe food definitely made me hungry, the descriptions were so well done. Collier, the love interest, was an intriguing character. He’s on leave from the Army and has been dealing with PTSD for several months. My only issue with the story is that I wasn’t completely sold on the pair’s romance as I felt physical chemistry between the pair was lacking. Overall though this was a cute story and I would be interested in picking up something else by this author in the future.
Joy to the World by Hope Ramsay — 4 Stars
Brenda McMillan has hated Christmas for over thirty years so when she’s asked to fill in for the director of the Magnolia Harbor Christmas Chorale, her answer is an emphatic no. But Dr. James Killough refuses to take no for an answer. This story features a romance between an older couple and was my favorite story in the collection. Brenda has experienced a lot of loss at Christmastime and dislikes the holiday as a result. Jim lost his wife on Christmas day but took the opposite path as Brenda and tries to make it a happy time of year. Despite their opposite views on Christmas, the pair have a lot in common including their shared love of music. I really enjoyed how the author was able to slowly build their romance despite the short length of the story. Overall I really enjoyed the story and I highly recommend it. I will definitely be picking up more from the author in the future.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher which I voluntarily and honestly reviewed.**
A Little Country Christmas is a nice way to begin the holiday season; if you’re into short novellas while sitting in a nice cozy room that has a large window, drinking a large cup of hot tea with a lemon wedge mixed with honey.
A.J. Pine, Hope Ramsey, Carolyn Brown are new authors to me and do look forward to reading other books by the authors.
A Little Country Christmas is a nice way to begin the holiday season. I’m a big fan of novellas but some are rather short and rushed leaving out so much that a full novel would give but all the same there four Christmas novellas get you into the Christmas spirit. I would’ve love for these novellas to have been more than 100 pages.
All four novellas are great with small Christmas romance. They are standalones but it was great to read one after the other. I especially love reading about Armed Forces, older couple, high school reconnections, bad Christmas memories.
Hope Ramsey – Joy To The World, Older couple novella. Brenda is having a time with Christmases because of bad experiences but in walks Jim and Christmases are great again.
Rochelle Alers – Collier is in the armed forces and home for the holiday and meets Iris his sister’s best friend the bar that he is a partner. They have a one-night stand and meet up later pretending to know each other at his sister’s home. Collier is special ops in the armed forces and suffers from PSTD. Iris was in an abusive relationship and recovering rather well. Iris and Collier are in bed sleeping and memories return about her Iris’s abusive past and Collier’s time on special ops assignments.
A.J. Pine – Cowboy Christmas at Heart – Dani and Peyton know each from high school. Peyton returns to his home after losing his job in Chicago and is not into Christmas traditions but Dani has other plans that will get him into the Christmas spirit.
Carolyn Brown – The Perfect Christmas. Landon, Dixie’s toddler daughter Sally, there is a previous book about the couple that picks up with “The Perfect Christmas” great HEA.
A Little Country Christmas is a collection of four holiday novellas, The Perfect Christmas by Carolyn Brown, Joy to the World by Hope Ramsay, Home for the Holidays by Rochelle Alers, and Cowboy Christmas at Heart by A. J. Pine. These Christmas centered stories all have one common theme, second chances. With an assortment of characters of different ages and different locales, these heartwarming stories are sure to add to the reader’s holiday literary pleasure. I did enjoy this anthology and do recommend it.
If you love Christmas romances then this collection of stories from four well-loved authors will make you a very happy reader this holiday season. I have followed series with three of these authors, the fourth is new to me, but delivers a lovely, engaging romance as well.
Since these are all Christmas-size novellas I don’t want to give much away from each story… but if you’ve followed Carolyn Brown’s “Longhorn Ranch” series then you’ll definitely want to read The Perfect Christmas which kicks off these four stories. I am never ready for a series that I’ve loved to come to its conclusion – but when it has to come what better time than with the joy of family around Christmas. I got misty-eyed with Dixie, Landon and baby Sally as this group slowly but steadily forms a new family to step into the future with.
Hope Ramsay takes us back to Magnolia Harbor where one soul-weary woman has lost her joy of Christmas and taking on an unusual musical task will bring her in contact with the one man who can reach her. I loved watching Brenda and Jim come together and each is given something by the other that brings them happiness and a chance at a lifetime kind of love.
Home For The Holidays by Rochelle Akers gives us a slightly darker, deeper look at lives around the holidays as a woman who has experienced the nightmare of abuse, and a soldier who still deals with the horrors he’s faced will find exactly who and what they need in each other. This one is emotional and broke my heart knowing what Collier and Iris have gone through before finding each other.
And the one I got the most chuckles from was A Cowboy Christmas At Heart by A. J. Pine as one new Grinch-like mayor tries to stop a beloved town’s Christmas tradition. I adored Dani, and learning of the reasons behind Peyton’s decision made it a lot easier to like this Scrooge. I simply had fun with their story as Dani’s love and excitement to light up her Sheriff’s Office with Christmas lights galore bring this couple exactly what they need – each other.
I had fun with these Christmas novellas, laughter, a few tears, and a really good time. If you love a Holiday Romance then A Little Country Christmas is perfect for you.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via NetGalley. 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.*
Sweetly thrilling, heartwarming and emotional set of adventures filled with holiday goodness, witty and engaging charters, heart racing twists and exciting passion. This set is filled with highly entertaining and hometown goodness. Great reading.
A LITTLE COUNTRY CHRISTMAS is anthology consists of stories written by four authors. THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS, written by Carolyn Brown, is the first story about a rugged cowboy wanting to give a single mom and her young daughter a perfect Christmas. In A.J. Pine’s A CHRISTMAS COWBOY AT HEART is about how the town’s Christmas Light competition causes sizzling heat between Mayor Peyton Cooper and Deputy Dani Garcia. Rochelle Alers’ HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS is about a soldier home on leave giving one woman a gift she never expected. In Hope Ramsay’s JOY TO THE WORLD, will a country doctor be able to cure the local Grinch with an old-fashioned dose of Christmas? A LITTLE COUNTRY CHRISTMAS is filled with the warmth of the Christmas spirit and the love in the four romances that will melt your heart.
Some incredible feel good and get you in the Christmas mood from some of our favorite Country and Cowboy Authors. I walked away from this book with a smile of my face.
Anthologies are always hit or miss for me. I picked this one up since it’s such a weird year and I can’t even think about the Christmas spirit so I thought this might help. I definitely enjoyed the first two novellas. Even though I haven’t read Carolyn Brown’s series that her contribution was from. I still liked the town and the characters and didn’t feel like I was missing anything. AJ Pine’s novella from the Meadow Valley series was a fun edition to the series. I loved this enemies to lovers story about a Grinch and a woman who LOVES Christmas. The last two novellas weren’t for me. It could have been the length, the writing style, or the characters but I’m not sure I’ll be picking up any books from either of these authors.
What a pleasant why to get into the Christmas spirit with these 4 short tales of love!
The Perfect Christmas by Carolyn Brown is another of her wonderful cowboy romances, a full story in short form! This story bring the Longhorn Canyon Ranch series to an end with the story of Landon, Dixie and sweet little Sally. Landon is just the right man for the single mother, a truly sweet story with humor, feels and seam!
A Christmas Cowboy at Heart by A.J. Pine, new to me author I enjoyed this tale of the golden boy coming home from the big city to be mayor of his small hometown. Sweetheart crushes, pining and humor and Christmas spirit fills this story wonderfully. Deputy Daniela was crushed when Peyton looked over her in high school but when he comes home and as mayor tries to cut out the Christmas spirit well it’s a double offense. But of course the joyful season with ease into his heart and so will Daniela! Can their love hold? Lovely Christmas story.
Home for the Holidays by Rochelle Alers, another new to me author-what a great way to discover new authors in a collection-Wonderful story about two single people with baggage from the past meet by chance at a club to find that the chemistry between them is strong. Neither is ready for anything series, both have demanding lives in different directions, a simple one night met, Until you find out the charismatic guy turns out to be your best friend’s brother. Holiday plans and more follow but all isn’t smooth sailing. Real entertaining read.
Joy to the World by Hope Ramsay is a wonderful tale of mature love. Both Brenda and Jim are older, both with grown children so their a great story of love at any age is lovely. Brenda has become known as a Grinch around town, for good reasons to her but Jim sees through her and his positive outlook-not to mention he’s easy on the eyes!-knows she’d be perfect for the role of choir director for the Christmas Gala. You’ll laugh, you’ll sigh and maybe shed a tear or two as this to people fall in love. Very entertaining read!
The Perfect Christmas by Carolyn Brown….I must say, this was my favourite story out of the 4!! I loved how Landon worked so hard to make it a special Christmas for Dixie and her baby daughter. Lots of romance and humour amidst all the Christmas joy.
Cowboy Christmas at Heart by A.J. Pine….I really enjoyed this story as well. Dani has always had a crush on Peyton and now that he’s back in town as the new mayor, she finds herself fighting with him about the town’s Christmas decorating! He’s turned into a Grinch and it’s her duty to find out why and make him believe again.
Home for the Holidays by Rochelle Alers….This is not your typical lighthearted Christmas story and in fact deals more with Collier’s PTSD and Iris’ fear of being abused again. I did enjoy the recipes written at the start of each chapter:)
Joy to the World by Hope Ramsay….. Brenda has no love for Christmas because everything bad that’s ever happened in her life has been around the holidays. So, it’s up to Jim, the town doctor, to convince her to start loving it again. A cute story that involves an older couple who are given a chance to find happiness again.