After fleeing her beloved small town five years ago, Julia Bailey is back to spend Christmas with her family. Returning is hard, but keeping the devastating secret about her late husband is even harder. Her place isn’t in Big Sky Country any longer…but the more time she spends with the irresistible Sheriff who saved her once before, and his adorable little daughter, the more Julia starts … wishing she could let go of the past and start a new life.
Single dad and county Sheriff Chase Donovan had been secretly in love with his best friend’s wife for years. But after her traumatic loss he knew Julia needed to get away from Shadow Creek, even though helping her leave was the last thing he wanted to do. Now she’s home and he doesn’t intend to lose her a second time. Chase is going to prove to Julia just how good they can be together this Christmas…and forever.
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I have to confess that I bawled my way through the prologue and most of the first chapter, but that’s a testament to the story that Ms. James weaved. I really wanted to just hug Julia for most of the book. Although her ability to resist falling in love with Chase was frustrating, it was also so understandable considering what she had been through. Chase was a really fantastic character, he was exactly the kind of man that I love to read about – he was strong, loyal, and so, so patient. Their love story might not have been conventional, but it was sweet and wonderful and I loved it from tear-soaked-start to finish. Maggie was also really adorable. I loved how she kept Chase on his toes by acting so grown up and yet at other times was also just a kid. She helped bring brightness and levity to a book that could have so easily been a depressing affair (but was not).
A wonderful book! True to life.
I just finished reading this and I loved it. The characters are relatable, I cried and laughed with them. Very enjoyable book. I’ve already gotten the next in the series and can’t wait to get started!
Easy light read. Fun
A nice Christmastime story with a HEA, an easy read with Christian values.
This is a very good story! Believable and heartwarming.
I absolutely loved this book and couldn’t wait to finish it!
This book was a sweet read. It kept my attention and you can’t help but fall in love with the characters. Anyone looking for a great read should pick this book
I enjoyed the romance story and the family connection with Julia and her sisters when she returns. Delightful and respectful characters!
I liked the story. The emotional swings that Julia goes through is heartbreaking. After losing her husband and toddler in a car crash, Julia believes that she is strong enough to spend the holidays with her in-laws and friends in Shadow Creek. New feelings emerge, what ifs bubble to the surface and the longing to be back in the small town make the holidays very difficult for her.
The characters of this Montana town are protective, supportive and understanding. They are real people who take care of their own. It is a warm and charming Christmas story that brings peace to the past and new beginnings for the main characters.
An easy read that had me laughing out loud at some hilarious dialogue.
A good book with love and heart breaking
Somewhat predictable. I did not like the ending. Felt there should have been another chapter or two.
a refreshing twist on the second chance theme. Looking forward to other work by the author.
Our of tragedy can come triumph. The book starts out sad but with a wonderful HEA.
I liked it well enough that I bought the rest of the series to follow all of the characters then was disappointed when I got to the end of the series.
CHRISTMAS WITH the SHERIFF would get a 4.5 if this format would allow it. This a thought-provoking, quick, entertaining read. How does a person allow themselves to love again after their spouse and child have been tragically killed? Can you risk having your heart broken again? Julia goes home for Christmas and has to face everything she has run away from. The hope is for a happy ending for this holiday novel.
Christmas With the Sheriff, Shadow Creek, Montana Book 1, is the first offering in a new series by Victoria James. Julia Bailey has returned to Shadow Creek to spend the holidays with her in-laws, who she had not seen for five years. She left Shadow Creek soon after a tragic accident took her husband Michael and son Matthew. She has now healed enough to return to the fold of the family that had so lovingly welcomed her.
In the time she has been away she has had a minimal social life, cocooning herself so as to protect from future pain. But Julia never expected for the cocoon to crack in the face of reuniting with her husband’s best friend Sheriff Chase Donovan and his daughter Maggie, who is the same age as her son Matthew would have been. Julia doesn’t know how to handle her feelings when she stays with Maggie while Chase responds to a weather related pile up just like the one that took her family. And when he suffers a gunshot wound after a domestic incident, Julia is ready to take the easy way out.
A deeply emotional tale, this book, Ms. James has captured the feelings of all her players. You will be rooting for Julia to break free of her sorrows and to embrace the possibilities she can discover in Shadow Creek. I did enjoy this book and do recommend it
A sad beginning, but then oh so sweet and certainly HEA.
Loved it, on book 4 in series. Great Author.