For This Christmas Only

He has everything, or he think so
She doesn’t have anything
I enjoyed this story a lot.

Who is Mallory Ames? Where is she? What is going on around her? Who is E.L. Taylor? What is the deal with Mallory about Taylor? Who are the douche canoes? Who is Eli? How does she meet the four of these people? Who are Eliza and TJ? Wha thappens when Mallory meets her hero? When do we get to meet them and why? Oh, I liked them very much! This book turned out to be a really fun read! Especially when E.L. Taylor showed up at Kappa Lambda! I hooted at the rules they were given. You need to read this touching story!

RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT from Netgalley FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin’ With M. Brennan.

Terrific book. Eli nearly died in a plane crash and hasn’t been the same since. He no longer has the same passion for his work, he’s haunted by nightmares of the crash, and realizes that he’s pushed his family away for so long that he doesn’t know them anymore. Eli recently accepted a semester-long teaching job at his alma mater, but even that doesn’t break through his gloom. In an attempt to face one of his fears, he attends the town Yule log lighting and ends up facing much more.

Mallory is a senior at the college, finally finishing her degree after several years away. She spent those years as an unpaid caretaker to various elderly relatives before the gift of a self-help book helped her break free. Mallory practically worshiped the author of the book and applied its business advice to her personal life. I liked the book’s quote at the beginning of each chapter and how that quote applied to the chapter. Darn close to destitute, she attends the Yule ceremony for the free entertainment. Unfortunately, she encounters three frat boys who make nuisances of themselves, driving her to approach a stranger for assistance.

Eli did not make a good impression during these initial moments. Mallory is a woman who needs help, and all he can think about is himself. He’s wealthy and well-known and is therefore sure that she is coming on to him. I loved Mallory’s reaction and his shock at it. He remained suspicious but did eventually play along with her plan. I enjoyed seeing the connection between Eli and Mallory, as he relaxed a little, able to be the man he wants to be. It was interesting to see Mallory tell him about her “friend” and his advice. I couldn’t believe that Eli didn’t recognize it as being from his book. There were some tense moments over a discussion of heroes, and I ached a little for Mallory as she looked at hers from a different angle.

As the evening went on, sparks of attraction began to build. Mallory is all for seeing where it goes, but Eli holds back. She stirs up feelings in him that he hasn’t experienced in a long time, and he worries about losing control. When he finds out who her “friend” is, he feels guilty about concealing who he is. I liked that he had enough honor to want to come clean and understood why he wanted to put it off for as long as he could. I ached for Mallory and her feelings of betrayal when she found out the truth. I also hurt for Eli because Mallory had begun to break through walls that had surrounded him for so long.

I was so caught up in what was happening between Eli and Mallory that I didn’t notice that one day/evening took up more than half the book. The intensity of their conversations made the story fly by. The pain of their parting was vividly portrayed, as was the hit to Mallory’s pride. That pride was what kept her going when she had to see him on campus. When her financial problems made her homeless over the holidays, I loved how Eli stepped up to help.

Mallory’s time at Eli’s house added another level to their connection. Her support of him when he told her about the accident and what he’s been through was heartwarming. That support became critical when Eli received an unexpected visit from his siblings. I loved seeing Mallory help him reconnect with them. There were still a couple of rough spots, but she helped him see what went wrong and how to fix it. The scenes between Eli and his brother and sister were emotional and satisfying. I also enjoyed seeing Mallory take Eli’s book’s advice less literally and see that her past is part of who she is now. I loved the ending and seeing the changes in Eli. His big moment at the end was sweet and romantic.

Sweet, heart-warming romance between two great characters who deserve to find each other…

If you like to curl up with your cat or dog and lose yourself in a terrific Hallmark movie, this book and these characters are for you.

Sometimes life lets loose with a curve ball or two. Both leading characters have had more than their share of bad luck and have been thrown off course.

Mallory has let her family take advantage of her kind heart for far too long. As a result, at the age of twenty-nine, she finds herself a college freshman.

Eli is suffering from having barely survived a plane crash. Suddenly he realizes that while he is wealthy and well-thought of, he has no real friends or love in his life. He has lost his sense of purpose, and she is trying to regain hers. In the beginning she has no idea that Eli, the stranger who saved her from some annoying fraternity boys and with whom she is enjoying a fake date, is her favorite author and hero. He doesn’t enlighten her when he realizes he’s her hero.

I enjoyed the easy, natural development of the Eli’s and Mallory’s relationship as they deepen their feelings for each other.

Caro Carson has written another winner.

The author sent me an ARC. This is my unbiased opinion of this delightful book.

Chance meeting of students hero author turns to love.