An unplanned journey A change of direction The meeting of two lost heartsWhen Evan Brooks sets out to repair his fractured relationship with his family, a broken-down car and an unplanned detour lead him to Holly Cole. Her eyes captivate him. Her words comfort him.Her heart warms him.Is she the unexpected gift he’s longed for?Is this just a detour, or the road to happiness?Find out in this … to happiness?
Find out in this heartwarming Christmas story.
What is Insta-Spark?
When you want a bit of naughty along with the nice. Insta-Spark series from Melanie Moreland are complete standalone reads with one thing in common – lots of sweetness and a guaranteed HEA. Instant attraction, little angst – love and happiness abounds in this series.
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An Unexpected Gift was a heartwarming Christmas story everyone needs to read!
On the way to visit his parents for Christmas, even though he probably won’t be wanted, his car breaks down. Trudging down the road to an open diner, this turns out to be first unexpected gift.
Holly after living a Gypsy life with her parents she’s settled for a bit, working as a waitress until she can save enough to apply to college. When a cold wet customer comes in she gets him a warm drink and tries to get him warm but she doesn’t realize he’ll become her Unexpected Gift.
I loved their story, some understanding of letting go of hurt and moving forward all adds up to a book you’ll want to cozy up with a warm drink and devour!
An Unexpected Gift is book four in the Insta-Spark Collection series by Melanie Moreland. Each of these can be read as a stand alone. Every one of these is sure to melt your heart into a bunch of ooey-gooey goodness. But there is something about this one. I think it’s my favorite of the bunch.
Evan Brooks was raised by a family he never fit in with. He never lived up to their expectations. He was the black sheep. So he moved away and lives his own life as furniture restorer, a job he loves. It’s Christmas and Evan feels like he should at least make an effort to try to reconnect with his family. Only he hadn’t planned on running into a storm. He hadn’t planned on taking a detour that got him lost. He hadn’t planned on his car breaking down. And, he hadn’t planned on walking into that diner and seeing her, an angel, who warmed both his hands and his heart.
Holly Cole was raised by parents that never felt the need to settle down. Growing up, she always felt like she was just sort of along for the ride. Like they were stuck with her. Christmas was a lonely time for her. But the night Evan walked into the diner where she worked, she couldn’t deny the pull she felt to him. She could tell he was also lonely.
“What was it about this woman that made me want to give her every single desire she ever had missed out on?’
As Holly and Evan talked that night, they shared their stories. Maybe it was a little bit of Christmas Magic? Maybe it was two hearts destined for each other finally connecting? Or maybe it was just two lonely people finding refuge in one another for a short time.
“She was an unexpected gift in my life. Perhaps the greatest I would ever receive.”
This was such a beautiful story that made my heart so happy. Holly and Evan were two beautiful souls that were destined to find one another. This is a short story but it is filled with so much. And of course, in true Melanie Moreland fashion, she has the most wonderful of epilogues. Even if you haven’t read any of the other books in this series, I hope you’ll grab this one. It’s one of those that leaves you with such a warm, happy feeling. This is truly a holiday story you don’t want to miss.
“My Angel. Holly.”
If you follow me, you know this is my jam. Give me an insta-love story and I’m downloading it before you can finish saying Santa Clause.
Melanie Moreland is the queen of creating a situation where two people not looking and just existing in a life they are ‘happy’ in. Until they meet the one. IMPOSSIBLE you say for love at first glance. HA! Being a walking-talking personal insta-love story myself, I love seeing the characters have the spark and draw that says “I want to spend time with you.”
Evan and Holly have this draw. They both are content – but they see beyond the public persona to find a soul that matches theirs. Ms. Moreland once again weaves her story magic to show you that family isn’t always the one you are born in, but the one you create.
A book friend said “No one does epilogues with kids woven in better than Melanie Moreland.” And fans – new and old – she doesn’t let us down. However, I – for one – is asking for more of this Eastern shore family.
Recommendation: BUY this. Cuddle up on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate to get lost in HEA.
This was a fast, fun Christmas story!!
Evan and Holly meet unexpectedly one Christmas and spend an amazing few days together. Once their time is up, they have to decide if their interlude was just a fun memory or the start of something much more.
I loved these characters and their intense connection. This is the perfect story to put you in the holiday spirit!
This certainly was An Unexpected Gift. I am starting to feel the Christmas spirit with Holly and Evan.
“She had to work, and I had to finish my drive and go see my family. Our time was done. The unexpected gift of her sweet, caring nature was about to end.”
This is a short story about Christmas miracles and the chances we get everyday and how we need to take those chances to be happy.
Evan and Holly have their lives far away from. Each other but one encounter will change how they see their lives and their future. They will only have to take the risk to make it work.
This was a beautiful and sweet Christmas short story that will warm your heart in this cold winter.
As always, Melanie knows what to give to her readers and Evan’s and Holly’s story is the greatest gift.
It may only be a novella but this story still manages to pack all the emotions of a full length novel. Making the trek to his family home for Christmas lands Evan in the middle of no where, in a storm and in a broken down car. Somehow he manages to walk to a small twenty four hour diner and into the warmest blue eyes that he has ever seen. Cold and soaking wet he is warmed by the kindness of his waitress, Holly. She feeds Evan, helps him dry off and spends a good portion of the night sharing conversation and laughter with this man she has just met but is so completely drawn to him. Turns out this instant attraction is shared by Evan and this leaves them wondering is this really happening or is it all just a dream. The list of characters in this story were also of particular interest to me especially the husband and wife team, Dan and Carol who take Evan and Holly under their wings and shows them what it means to be loved and accepted for who you are. I need more stories from this one so that other characters may also have their very own insta-spark of love.
It may only be a novella but this story still manages to pack all the emotions of a full length novel. Making the trek to his family home for Christmas lands Evan in the middle of no where, in a storm and in a broken down car. Somehow he manages to walk to a small twenty four hour diner and into the warmest blue eyes that he has ever seen. Cold and soaking wet he is warmed by the kindness of his waitress, Holly. She feeds Evan, helps him dry off and spends a good portion of the night sharing conversation and laughter with this man she has just met but is so completely drawn to him. Turns out this instant attraction is shared by Evan and this leaves them wondering is this really happening or is it all just a dream. The list of characters in this story were also of particular interest to me especially the husband and wife team, Dan and Carol who take Evan and Holly under their wings and shows them what it means to be loved and accepted for who you are. I need more stories from this one so that other characters may also have their very own insta-spark of love.
5 star review of An Unexpected Gift (Insta-Spark #4) by Melanie Moreland
I thoroughly enjoy Melanie Moreland’s style of writing and was captivated by Evan Brooks and Holly Cole’s story.
If there is one thing I know when I start a book by Ms.Moreland, I am going to fall in love with her characters and that is exactly what happened in An Unexpected Gift; I was captivated from the first to the last chapter.
What happens when a chance meeting morphs in to so much more. Neither Evan or Holly are satisfied with the lives they lead but until they meet one another, neither of them realize that what they are missing in their lives is unconditional love from another person.
Ms.Moreland writes stories from the heart, there are times when I feel as though she reaches right inside and touches my soul. This book is no exception and you will find it sweet, romantic, spicy and full of love and it will put you in the mood for the holiday season.
I loved this sweet little Christmas story!! Melanie always weaves such a emotional tale!! What happens when you are just not enough? When you have never been someone’s priority? For Holly and Evan that is the way life has been until a chance meeting at Christmas time! Wonderful story and characters!!!
Simply Charming!
I love love, and I love Melanie Moreland. No matter how long or how short, Ms. Moreland always gives me a story worth savoring. Evan and Holly’s story is no different! I loved their brave take on the world and the gusto with which they embraced their love. It’s perfect.
A perfect (post) Christmas treat. I loved this short but steamy and sweet story, and falling in love with Evan and Holly. Everything about An Unexpected Gift (InstaSpark Book 4) is sheer perfection and left me feeling warm, happy, and wishing for a Christmas miracle of my own!
My Rating:
4.5
Favorite Quotes:
“Your taste in strays is excellent.”
“You’re not odd. You’re Evan. You’re perfect.” Her words were like a small shock running through my system.
My Review:
This was a quick, sweet, easy to fall into, and sexy read that left my heart feeling light and satisfied. The main characters were lovably endearing and sweet enough to cause dental issues. I adored them as much as their supportive and passionate romance. Evan was a treasure. Sigh, we all want a besotted and thoughtful husband like Evan, although admittedly, most of us don’t deserve one quite so devoted.
Holiday romances are my jam, love reading them leading up to the holiday rush. This one is truly one that I will re-read over and over. Evan and Holly show us that giving everything when you don’t have much is the holiday spirit. Evan finds someone with a heart that makes him want more, Holly sees so much in Evan that she wishes he could stay. Love them so hard.
Here is more of my review here on YouTube https://youtu.be/3zYX_iSTkBs
Evan and Holly are broken, but together they make each other whole. This book was so much more than I expected. It has all of the feels, character growth, and steam I needed in a relatively small package. I loved how Christmas becomes such a special time for these two. I loved how they connected emotionally to each other, and were able to read each other so quickly. This was my first Melanie Moreland book, and I will definitely be going back for more.
I am not usually a fan of Christmas-themed books (yeah, I can be grumpy that way). But I will read anything by this author (absolutely anything), and I am so glad that I didn’t miss this one. I loved the message that when you know that you love someone, you just know. The story of Evan and Holly warms the heart and allows the reader to believe that true love and Christmas miracles really do exist. And I enjoyed the follow-up on Evan’s family. We could all use a little bit of that kind of faith every once in a while.
This is a fun, quick, sweet read.
Evan and Holly are both likeable characters that it’s impossible not to root for. Ms. Moreland does a great job of capturing their story even given how short the book is.
The supporting cast is small, but there is one key player towards the end that I hope ends up in a story in the future, and that is Evan’s brother in law Simon.
There was a lot of emotions from reading this book and I really loved the story and the extended epilogue.
Beautiful story about a man and woman destined to be together. A broken down car on a back road lead to Evan finding Holly in a diner. She cares for him since he’s half frozen from the walk through a snow storm. They find that instant connection so few have found and talk through most of the night and maybe other things. Holly encourages Evan to continue on his journey to see his family. Truth be told, his family didn’t deserve his attention. But it does make him appreciate the family he has made for himself in his friends and the kindness he had found in Holly. I love how they are together. Both of them come from vastly different backgrounds but find a love that is unconditional for them. May “aww” moments and actions that one can hope for in real life.
Talk about a special holiday inspiration. Ms Moreland knows how to pack the emotions in! I loved the story and I loved the characters. Lovely read to start your holiday season!
An Unexpected Gift (Insta-Spark Book 4) by Melanie Moreland
This holiday romance is set in Canada and made for those who are true romantics with stars in their eyes. Evan and Holly Cole were soul mates who met by happenstance when his car broke down in her little town and he stepped inside her diner. It’s obvious Melanie is a romantic at heart, because this book is an insta-spark, love at first-sight, where fairy tales come true kind of tale with all the feels and little angst.
That doesn’t mean there are no tears because if you have read Melanie before, she will take your emotions through the ringer, make you cry and sigh, laugh and cry some more, before our hero and heroine get their happily ever after.
Evan is a dream…handsome, humble, a hardworking craftsman with natural talent, someone who appreciates nature and prioritizes his quality of life, and what makes him close to perfect is that he only had eyes for our sweet heroine, Holly. He is the complete opposite of his materialistic family and it pained me to read of their treatment of him.
Holly was his angel. She was such a positive light in his life and a beautiful soul. I loved watching them trust in their feelings and take a chance on each other. You know how some books end abruptly? Well An Unexpected Gift does not! You will be treated to several detailed chapters of their future and growing family. There is such character development and I loved all of their conversations and interactions. It really was a magical, sweet and steamy holiday read that will make you feel good from the inside out!