It’s Christmastime in the quaint island town of Cloud Bay, where love is always in season… Will Fraser has believed in love at first sight since the day he first laid eyes on Mina Harper five years ago. There was only one problem: She was happily married. Then, when Mina’s husband was killed by a drunk driver, Will figured she’d want nothing to do with a guy who owns a whiskey distillery. So … whiskey distillery. So he’s kept his feelings locked away, knowing that not even a Christmas miracle would be enough to melt Mina’s heart. . .
Mina believes her days of true love are behind her. Since losing her husband she’s kept to herself, content to do her own painting and stay out of the limelight that comes with her famous family. But when, after a freak accident, Will comes to her rescue, Mina can’t quite get him out of her mind. As curiosity turns into a fling during Cloud Bay’s first Christmas Festival, she finds it harder to convince herself that her feelings for Will are just mistletoe-inspired. Could Mina be ready to lay the past to rest and finally admit that what she really wants for Christmas–and forever–is Will?
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I enjoyed the writing style of this author as well as the characters (both main and secondary) and character development. This was a story that begins prior to Thanksgiving and ends at Christmas. I wouldn’t say that the Christmas holiday runs the story; but, it does play a small part in the flow of the story. Cloud Bay is a fictional island off the California coast and I liked how the author wove some standard “winter” activities into the story where you would normally have to have snow. The main female character, Mina Harper, is still struggling with the tragic and untimely death of her husband from 3 years ago. Her family keeps pushing her to “get out there” and begin dating again. Mina was devastated by her husband’s death and in no way does she want to feel that kind of pain again; so she simply keeps herself away from any situations that might endanger her resolve. Then fate/destiny plays her hand and takes that control away from Mina one cold, rainy night. If you want to find out what happens to Mina, you’ll have to read the story …
I received a free uncorrected galley in e-book form from the publisher and Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
A Season of You is the second book in Emma Douglas’ Cloud Bay series. Cloud Bay is the township found on coastal California Lansing Island. This story takes place during the holiday season from midNovember to Christmas. On a dark, stormy evening in midNovember, bar and distillery owner Will Fraser sees unusual lights out his office window. When he goes to explore, he finds Rock heiress Mina Harper has taken quite a tumble in her attempt to change a flat tire in the rain. There is a gash on her head and she has lost consciousness. Will immediately loads Mina in his vintage restored Mustang, along with her lab Stewie, and heads for the emergency clinic.
With a mild concussion and a strained shoulder, Mina is released to Will with the promise that she will not be left alone that night. That is fine with Will, who has loved her from afar since the moment he saw her when he first arrived on the island. But when he learned she was married, and then she was widowed, he made no efforts since he barely knew her anyway. However, when they are put together in such a way, he is certainly going to explore where it might go.
The last thing Mina expected was the strength of her attraction to Will. When he makes a proposal that they seek their own Christmas miracle by spending time together he doesn’t initially think of the down side that this special “project” is set to be completed Christmas Day.
Mina has suffered great loss with desertion by her famous photographer mother, the death from cancer of her rockstar dad, and the death of her young husband to a drunk driver. She is just now feeling almost whole and is too wounded to risk another loss. But when the actual threat of loss rears its ugly head, there are unexpected outcomes that just may bring the Christmas miracle after all.
This is a lovely stand alone story with well formed characters in a lovely setting. I did enjoy this book and I do recommend it.
Full review appeared on Reader’s Edyn on 10/22/17
Mina Harper has lived through her share of loss – first her husband, then her father. While she has a pretty cushy life as the daughter of a famous rock star, it hasn’t shielded her from grief. When a freak accident lands her in Will Fraser’s arms and care, she feels an attraction that she thought long gone. She had her one true love and lost him. People didn’t get second chances at that. Disregarding the attraction as basic, human need, she starts to entertain Will’s idea involving a little Christmas play time together. Time limit, clean break, no strings, hot sex. When people say they can walk away without a backward glance, they are usually full of shit. But Will says he can and so Mina will also. Pair the fact that she doesn’t approve of his career/business and walking away won’t be so hard. She can’t risk huge loss in her life again anyway, so it is just as well she has no intention of falling in love with him.
Will Fraser has been in love with Mina since the day he first laid eyes on her. She was the most beautiful, breathtaking thing he had ever seen, but she was taken and then her husband died and Will knew she needed space. Their paths hardly crossed anyway, so he never really had an opportunity – until she got a flat tire outside his bar. Now he’s got the opportunity he’s always wanted. He knows she isn’t ready for anything serious, so an offer of calm and casual is his plan of attack. If she agrees to his terms, he has a month to convince her of his love and that second chances at love are possible.
This was a fun and entertaining book to read. I truly enjoyed getting to know these characters and their crazy, quirky world. I imagine life with a rock start father would have quite a lot of interesting aspects and Ms. Douglas did a wonderful job of building this world. I haven’t read this author before, but I have a feeling that the other characters either have or will have their own stories in Cloud Bay. If not, I truly hope that they will. Set just before and up until Christmas, this book is a great way to ring in the holiday season and bring on the “Christmasy warm fuzzies”. I’d enjoy reading it at any time of year though. This book is full of hot, steamy sex scenes and a cast you are sure to adore getting to know. If you find stories of second chances at love, a reluctant female lead, a smitten male lead, and a whole slew of likeable friends and family members, you will not be disappointed. There was also some hint of a touch of mystery surrounding “Daddy Rock Star” and many mysterious pieces of his life that no one knew about. I’m interested in his odd behaviors and what the kids will uncover as time goes on as well. This may have been my first book by Ms. Douglas, but it for sure will not be my last.
Kindle version provided by NetGalley/St Martins Press in exchange for an honest review.
A Season of You by Emma Douglas
Cloud Bay #2
On a small island off the coast of California lies Lansing Island and where the ferry lands is the town of Cloud Bay. A small island brought to the world’s attention by a rock group that settled there and created a venue for the annual rock festival “Cloud Fest”. One family, the Harpers, is at the forefront of the island and of this series – at least so far. In book one Faith Harper falls for tennis player Caleb White and breaks all of her island rules to achieve a HEA that thrills both of them. In book three it will be brother Zach and Leah who have their story told but in THIS book it is widow Mina Harper and Will Fraser who find love…eventually.
Will was smitten with love at first sight when he first saw Mina years before the story begins. Knowing that she was married kept him away and then when she was widowed young he still stayed away giving her time to grieve. When a situation occurs that has Will acting as Good Samaritan to Mina things begin to change and Mina begins to thaw.
Cloud Bay is gearing up for the Christmas holidays and that puts Will and Mina in close proximity more often than not. The two decide to spend time together BUT with a preset expiration date. There are issues Mina needs to overcome before she can fully give herself to anyone and though she is thawing she is fearful of finding and losing love again.
This was an enjoyable story with a HEA ending that also deals with one mystery mentioned in book one but hints at another as the story ends. I would love to read Stefan’s story (Will’s brother) but first the Harper’s will have their time in the limelight before more citizens of Cloud Bay have their stories told.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4 Stars
A Season of You proves the best rewards are the ones that come as a surprise. Emma Douglas guides readers through a tale of broken hearts and shattered dreams. Mina never could have imagined her life without her one true love. Tragedy left her a widow, can fate bring her a new beginning? In a season of miracles and hope, two people find blessings beyond their wildest dreams. Will and Mina tug at the heartstrings while adding magic to the season.
Will Fraser has longed for a chance with Mina Harper since the day she first captured his attention, but there was always something keeping him from having that chance. So for the last five years he has bided his time, never giving up hope, that one day that chance might finally come along… and now it has, he just has to figure how to convince her to give love another shot.
Mina Harper had everything she ever wanted, the love of a good man, and a happy life, then a drunk driver took it all away, and she has been a shell of the woman she once was, since that day. She is certain love will never come her way again, and if by miracle it happens to find a way into her life, she isn’t so sure she would welcome it. But then a shared moment with her friend Will spawns some unexpected feelings… feelings that have her reconsidering her thoughts against love!
A Season Of You is sure to inspire readers, renew their faith in second chances and put them in the holiday spirit! This charming read, and it’s well crafted characters, left my heart full and happy… it was such an enjoyable first read. The delicate story line was full of moments that had me near tears, moments that tugged on my heartstrings, and moments that left me smiling from ear to ear. Highly recommend this one for anyone who is in the mood for a well written holiday themed read, it’s sure to give you just what your looking for … and possibly more!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.
Mina Harper is the youngest daughter of a deceased rock star. She was married young & a widow in her twenties. She’s determined to protect her heart from the pain & loss. She’s just started to paint again & is actually looking forward to the future. Then Will Fraser rescues her one night. Can she find the courage to try again?
Will Fraser has been in love with Mina Harper since the first time he saw her. First she was married, then a widow. Finally she is free & is starting to live again. He is a partner with his brother in a bar & in a distillery. She blames alcohol for her father & her husbands deaths. Can he convince her to try again with him?
This book is the second in the series but can easily be read as a stand alone. The characters are well developed & realistic. The reader’s sympathies are engaged from the beginning with Mina being a young widow. The give & take of Mina & Will’s interactions are interesting & have you reading on. There are some unexpected twists that add drama. Overall, a very enjoyable read.