Oh baby, it’s cold outside…Austin Bishop doesn’t want a lot for Christmas. He especially isn’t looking for love. But romance shows up anyway, in the form of the most beautiful, curvy redhead he’s ever seen.Suddenly, canoodling under the mistletoe seems like the best Christmas activity this side of eating homemade snickerdoodles. A fling with no strings attached? There’s no better way to … There’s no better way to celebrate the holidays.
Except, partway through the twelve days of Christmas, it stops being a fling and starts feeling like a whole lot more.
But Ivy has secrets, and so does he…
Christmas of Love is the fifth novel in the Long Valley Romance series, although all books in the Long Valley world can be read as standalones. It has some strong language, and oh my, sexy times. Enjoy!
NOTE: In October 2020, this book was re-released after a major expansion and update was done. The new edition is clearly marked with an “Expanded and Revised” red medallion on the cover. I hope you enjoy this new edition!
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This expanded and revised book has wonderful characters. Ivy and Austin have issues to get over. Ivy came home for her parents anniversary party only to have to change her plane ticket because her sister Iris fell. Austin received a job in Long Valley and trying to be nice went out with the waitress from the diner. Tiffany is clingy and thinks her and Austin are in a relationship after one date. It was great reading them getting to know each other.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ivy and Austin both have baggage, but their friendship that turns into romance is sweet and easy. Until Ivy lets the last shoe drop. This tale is so heartbreaking at times, but not depressing. There is hope right along with it. These everyday Joe characters are fully formed and make you feel like their friend. At the end maybe a happy tear, at least a smile and a sigh.
Christmas of Love is more than just a heartwarming romance. Long Valley sounds like a wonderful place to live. but Ivy was bullied in high school. Fourteen years and a half years later she still is running. In this book, Ivy has to learn to accept herself, decide what she really wants and go after it before she will be ready for a true romance. Austin has his own issues. I love how Ms. Wright makes her characters so believable, helps them overcome their issues and gets them to an HEA. As usual, clear some time for this book because you will not be able to put it down!
I read Christmas of Love before Erin rewrote the book and now it is better than ever. I have actually read all of Erin’s books and I especially love Long Valley Idaho where she sets her romances, full of cowboys and heroes, romance and real world problems. But the books are also full of happy endings. Ivy grew up in the shadow of her “perfect” sister Iris and was bullied in school by two mean girls. When she studied art in college, she could not wait to see Idaho in the rear-view mirror and start life as an artist in San Francisco. Well, at least that is what she told her family but in reality she was just another waitress learning how to weave lies into reality. When she returns to the Long Valley for her parent’s party she plans to leave right away but her sister, who was already seriously injured in a car crash has another crisis and she stays. She starts seeing Austin, the county extension agent and starts with the same lies she always tells. The book is full of emotion and reality as many of us have altered reality to make our lives easier but it ends up driving Austin away. But it also helps Ivy take a deep look at herself and start living a true life. I love books about redemption and solving realistic problems because it is real life after all. Erin rewrote the book and added and changed some material to make it even better. And as always, her quirky sense of humor bleeds throughout the story. Very romantic and full of feeling. I volunteered to read and review and early copy and really enjoyed it!
Love her books!
Great characters. I’m a hopeless romantic. Love happy ending
On the surface of things, Ivy McLain appears to be a bright, happy, and smiling artist, but beneath the mask, she is suffering from the same insecurities she experienced growing up in the small Idaho town. She has hardly been back in town a few hours before running into her nemeses and rubber-banded back into her high school years. The problem with wearing a mask and telling everyone how successful she is, only creates complications, especially when her well-laid plans fall apart. Austin Bishop, on the other hand, has had his life torn apart by his parents’ betrayal, which resulted in his fiancé breaking off their engagement. Just when he begins to trust Ivy, he finds that she has been keeping secrets and he experiences her lies of omission as a major betrayal. Ivy and Austin have an undeniable attraction that zaps between them, but due to their brokenness, they both have difficulties fully committing to one another. It takes a catalyst moment for each of them to realise the truth. This story highlights the impact of childhood bullying on a person and the insecurities that it creates. It also shows how in spite of the fear of rejection, a person can nevertheless grow into a talented adult, especially after they have faced their childhood fears. This book is well written and although it is part of a series, it is nevertheless a standalone and does end on a very positive note. I received a copy of this book from BookSprout as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Ivy McLain comes home to Idaho for her parents anniversary party. She’s cold and miserable until she bumps into Austin Bishop, literally. She was intrigued until her high school nemesis starts hanging all over him. The day after the party her sister Iris is found laying in the cold snow, and is rushed to the hospital. Ivy forgets her flight and stay to help out.
Austin Bishop is a newbie to the area, and he is intrigued by Ivy. He’s not interested in a relationship so hooking up with Ivy, who is temporarily in town is perfect for him.
Ivy and Austin become close, but they both have demons they are dealing with. Can they trust in one another and their growing feelings when they are not being true to themselves. Will Christmas bring them a miracle that they just can’t pass up.
Christmas of Love is an amazing story that I fully recommend. I volunteered to review an Advance Reader Copy of this book.