Old friends, new lovers…Elliot Goldsmith has known Libby Carter since they were at primary school. He’s always been attracted to her, but somehow the timing has always been wrong, and now they’re both dating different people and heading toward thirty at a rate of knots. Libby is with Mike, and he’s with Karen, and he keeps trying to tell himself he’s happy. And then the plane they’re on … And then the plane they’re on crashes, tearing their world apart.
Now Mike’s dead, Libby’s wounded, and Elliot’s been brought to his senses. Staying with Karen isn’t fair to her or himself, and even though Libby’s in mourning and he knows there’s no chance of them getting together, he decides it’s time to make the break.
For Libby, life has become a process of breathing in and out and making it through each day as best she can. Sometimes she doesn’t think she’s ever going to feel anything again. And then Elliot kisses her, and she realizes her emotions are very alive and kicking.
Elliot wants to be with her, and when he reminds her of the promise they made to each other when they were kids—that they’d marry each other if they were still single when they turned thirty—Libby knows he’s serious. But a secret she’s hiding makes it impossible for her to move forward. There’s no chance she could be a bride by her birthday on Christmas Eve. Is there?
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Elliot’s Blueberry is a wonderful fulfilling read.
I read the whole Bay of isles series and I loved every one of them but then I love all of the things you write
BRIDE BY CHRISTMAS is a steamy standalone read with a VHEA. Last in a series you will not be lost if you have missed the first books. Libby was seriously injured in a plane crash as a group of friends were returning from Vegas. Her partner was the only one killed. Mike was a cop on the local force. He was not really well liked but he was with Libby so he was part of their group. It has been several months and Libby is suffering emotional stress from a secret she is carrying. She does not feel she can share it and as such, she pays for the bad judgement of another.
She finally unburdens herself to Elliot her best friend since she was 5. He has always loved Libby and will do anything to protect her. He confesses that he has always cared for her and one thing leads to another and they wind up in bed. She confesses that she was about to break up with Mike when he was killed and now every one treats her like the grieving widow and she is cracking under the weight of it. Their love story is a great one filled with secrets and misunderstandings, crazy ex girlfriends and betrayal. I LOVED it. Great story and a very good ending to the series. I definitely recommend it.
I am was not paid for this review. I am not a writer nor do I know one I am not kin to this author. I am a reader and this is my opinion, nothing more, nothing less. 12/9/18
5 stars
A sensual, warm romance with a hot and respectful hero
This was a wonderful conclusion to the brilliant “Bay of Islands Brides” series, where each member of a lovely family on the North Island of New Zealand finds their true love. Now, Elliot is the last of the family not yet paired off. He is a really good guy and a small town policeman. He is respectful to women and to people in general. Elliot is so gorgeous and lovable. Now, he gets his chance to profess his feelings for Libby, who works at the bridal shop with his mother and sisters. Libby is such a good-hearted woman who always considers the feelings of others. Elliot and Libby are lovely characters.
Picking up this book and reading it is so wonderful and rewarding. I immediately got absorbed in the characters and story and didn’t want to put it down. The love scenes were searingly hot and very intimate. OMG, Elliot is so hot! He says the sexiest things. I also love how he asks if Libby is sure she wants to make love or stop. Elliot is considerate, gorgeous, and fantastic.
As you can tell from the book blurb, Libby’s situation is complicated, and it just gets more complicated. This novel has more drama and angst than most of Serenity Woods’ books. I am not fond of angst and drama, but it was not too much for me, maybe because it was happening to Libby, who is so much like myself or a good friend. Libby was good at not freaking out; she just worried a bit about the various plot developments. There is a very happy ending, and we also get updates about the other couples in the series. Although the title mentions Christmas, only about 25% of the book is set during the holidays, since the book starts in September, so it is not very Christmas-themed.
I love this book, and I recommend it to all contemporary romance fans who like steaminess and some drama. Also, this book boyfriend is one to remember!
I received a free advanced reading copy, and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.
The Bay of Brides gang is all front and center in book 6 of the series. If you have followed this series, you knew Elliot was destined for finding his special someone, glad it was Libby. Although Libby had been in that horrible plane crash where her partner Mike was killed, I found it annoying that she couldn’t tell people about his infidelity so she could move forward with her life with Elliot. But, having said that, I love the way this author writes, and this is a perfect book to add to the series. Loved the closure we got on Noelle and Cameron’s relationship as well as the other updates with the gang. Can’t wait to see what’s next!
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.
This is a lovely friends to lovers story. Libby is still dealing with the aftermath of losing her longtime partner/boyfriend, and turns to Elliot who has recently broken up with his longtime partner/girlfriend. They’ve been friends since they were five, so it only makes sense. Things heat up between them when they finally tell each other how they’ve each always felt.
This was sexy, but also sweet. Libby and Elliot have some challenges, especially since they have many emotions involved and different forms of grief to overcome. In the end they do get their HEA, and it’s a beautiful ending to the series.
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Lovely Romance.
Both Libby and Elliot have had a thing for each other for years but the timing has never been right to do anything about it until now but grief and torn loyalties does not make their situation easy. Recommended read.
Last book in series. I’m going to miss this family, their lives and them each finding love. This can totally be read as a standalone but it is lovely to read the whole series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I have read all the books in this series and loved them all. This book is no exception. I was excited knowing this story about Elliot and Libby was coming and was not disappointed. A great series highly recommended reading.
I love visiting friends on the Bay of Islands and that’s exactly how Serenity Woods makes me feel it’s like I’m home for the holidays. Am I sad to see the Bay of Islands Brides Series come to an end of course but the best was left for last and this is certainly a series I will read again and again.
Libby and Elliott have been secretly in love with each other for many years they grew up together and Libby was always around as a friend of Elliott’s sisters but the timing was never right it seems they were never meant to be, but when Libby lost her boyfriend Mike in a terrible plane crash it was Elliott who wasn’t afraid to tiptoe around her and he was the one she finally opened up to ……….
I really don’t want to give too much of the story away because I really feel you need to read it with no expectations to get the best from this book so I’m just going to tell you how this story left me feeling.
This book was an emotional roller coaster it had my feelings all over the place but I loved every minute of it, I loved seeing the final bride get the HEA she so deserves. I loved catching up with the wonderful Goldsmith clan and this was the perfect way to end the series. The characters are easily to like and the loyalty they all share is one I’m sure many of us wish we had and as always this very talented author took me away from reality and too my happy place. Brilliant addition to a great series. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
5 Star Review of Bride By Christmas (Bay of Islands Brides #6) by Serenity Woods
The sixth book and final book in the Bay of Islands Brides series and what a way to end a series; this is Elliot Goldsmith and Libby Carter’s story and oh what a story it is.
From the first to the last chapter Serenity Woods captured and held my attention. This may well be my favourite book of the series.
What an emotional roller coaster of a read Bride by Christmas is. It seems that the timing has never been right for Elliot and Libby who have known each other since they were children. Both involved with other people neither of them prepared to admit the feelings that they have for one another.
However all is not as it appears and when fate lends a helping hand it is time for Elliot to decide who he really wants and that person is Libby. However, Libby is trying to get over the death of her husband in the plane crash which injured her and again the timing is off. However it is because of the crash that Elliot decides to bite the bullet as his feelings for Libby have well and truly been brought to the surface.
I have loved reading this series, the family is wonderful and I find myself well entrenched in their lives. The characters are so easy to relate to and Serenity Woods brings New Zealand alive for me.
I really love how Ms.Woods embraces the whole family in her stories; it is heart warming and this really was a wonderful story to draw the series to a close and it was great to catch up on the other members of the family and see how they are all doing.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Bride by Christmas by Serenity Woods
Bay of Islands Brides #6
Loved this story of Libby and Elliott finally getting to be together. The timing was never right for them before and neither was truly open about their feelings until…this time. I can’t imagine being Libby after the plane crash, knowing what she did and being so kind not to reveal to everyone what she knew. I could really feel for her! I had more trouble understanding why she waited so long to make her relationship with Elliott public but then…Libby was always more interested in pleasing others than herself, perhaps?
Loved this couple together and loved this series. I hate to say goodbye to them but know that the author will have a new series brewing and I will become as invested in the new characters once I get to meet them.
Great wrap-up to the series! Loved it!
Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
I hate to see this series end, but this was a pretty perfect ending.
You could see the difference in Elliot when he was with Libby compared to some of the glimpses we got of him in previous books when he was with Karen.
I understood Libby trying not to cause people pain by keeping Mike’s secret, and it just serves to confirm that people have to do things in their own time.
After the episode with Karen, I fully expected her to keep popping up. I thought Elliot might have to arrest her. Lol.
Elliot and Libby had great chemistry. There were really sweet moments when they confessed their feelings for each other.
The characters were well written. The emotions felt real. There was that Bay of Islands sense of love, loyalty, and family. We were given an update on all of the couples from the previous books. It was a story that was intriguing enough to keep you engaged from the first to the last page, and everyone had their own HEA.
You can read this book as a standalone, and hopefully you will want to go back and read the other books. I personally believe that you will enjoy this book even more if you read a couple of the other books in the series first.
I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy of this book.