Kate Wilson hates to admit it, but she’s unhappy and can’t figure out why. Fearful of flying yet determined to find a reason for her unhappiness, she boards a flight headed for her Washington hometown.Inn of the Woods owner and pilot, Oxnard Swanson struggles with accepting his multiple sclerosis diagnosis, realizing his dreams of marriage and a family might be over. Determined, he bides his time … bides his time managing the inn, piloting his Cessna, and training his rescue dog Bayou.
Sparks quickly fly between Oxnard and Kate, when a snow storm forces her to find refuge at the Inn of the Woods. Maggie, a wise guest, suggest the couple step outside, where the magic of the snow offers answers to their search for happiness and a second chance at love.
Kate and Oxnard find love is like a snowflake, a unique and beautiful reminder of life’s continuation, as each snowflake melts into the eternal hope of spring.
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Grounded in January
Author:Savannah Hendricks
Length: 235 pages
Publication date: April 10, 2019
5
Description :
Kate Wilson hates to admit it, but she’s unhappy and can’t figure out why. Fearful of flying yet determined to find a reason for her unhappiness, she boards a flight headed for her Washington hometown.
Inn of the Woods owner and pilot, Oxnard Swanson struggles with accepting his multiple sclerosis diagnosis, realizing his dreams of marriage and a family might be over. Determined, he bides his time managing the inn, piloting his Cessna, and training his rescue dog Bayou.Sparks quickly fly between Oxnard and Kate, when a snow storm forces her to find refuge at the Inn of the Woods. Maggie, a wise guest, suggest the couple step outside, where the magic of the snow offers answers to their search for happiness and a second chance at love.
MY REVIEW
I read ALOT ( as in a book or two a day. Not to mention I have an overwhelming huge pile of books waiting for me to review. This being said , I have become very picky about the fact that the book needs to capture me quick and hold me. Grounded in January done just that.
From the very first page I was drawn into this beautiful ,heartwarming, Inspirational, story. I instantly connected with all of the characters. I saw a little bit of myself in each character. I too have a fear of flying, severe anxiety, an only child who grew up with no pets and I am also very clumsy just like Kate ! By the time I reached the end of the first chapter I was laughing so hard and getting funny looks from my husband ! So I returned to the first page and read the whole chapter out loud to him. He too was laughing at poor Kate’s mishaps.
I also suffer from MS so I connected with Ox on a deep level. Having Ms goes far beyond what it does to you physically it also affects you mentally.The author done such an amazing job of describing what it is like to live with MS physically and mentally. And the effects it has on others around you.
Then there is Bayou. The sweet yellow English Lab who is learning to be a service dog. He will not only melt your heart but have you laughing throughout the story. He can share my bed anyday. ( Hair and all )
Maggie ( a guest at the inn) was also one of my favorite characters. She is such a lovable character and reminded me so much of my mom. I hope the author writes her story soon and that she will find love a second time. Loved how she always spoke her mind and become a mom to Ox.
Ali ( Kate’s best friend ) is also another character who I would love to see find happiness . Her and Matt may just be right for each other. Matt ( another guest at the Inn ) is the only character I found myself wanting to punch.
I ended up reading alot of the story to my husband. Even though he is a man he enjoyed the parts I was reading to him . In fact he loved it so much now that I’m done with it, he has picked it up and started to read it. So this should tell you that this book is SO much more than a romance. I would LOVE to see this book turned into a Hallmark movie. I was shocked to learn this is this authors first adult book she has written. The way this story flowed you would think she had been writing these types of books for years and years. She is a very talented gifted author who writes with her heart and soul. You can see it throughout the words on each page. Her descriptions were so vivid you could smell the smells , see the views, and even taste the food as if you were standing right there. If you like the pie that Kate and Ox baked for the pie contest at the Winter Wonder Day festival you are in for a treat. The recipe for that pie is at the end of the book. I have to admit that is one pie I have never heard of . Savannah Hendricks is also the author of 3 kids picture books. Which I will be reading to my youngest daughter and my two granddaughter’s. If her kids books are half as good as this book was then they are in for an amazing treat.
I wish the Inn of the Woods and all of these characters were real. I would love to book a stay at this beautiful Inn and spend time with all of these characters. By the time I reached a third of the book all of the characters seemed like family to me. I am so sad to see them go. I really hope this book does well so the author will turn it into a series.
The cover of this book is also very eye catching and beautiful. Once you read the book you will see how well it ties into the book !
If you are looking for a funny , realistic, clean story that deals with real-world challenges give this story a try. I can not recommend this book enough. It deserves way more than 5 stars. Thank you Savannah Hendricks for writing such a beautiful touching story that raises awareness for so many issues. You are definitely going to be added to my favorite author list. Look forward to reading many more of your books , so get writing . ( You can’t write fast enough for me )
#GroundedinJanuary
#MS
#anxiety
#servicedogs
#heartwarming
#SavannahHendricks
Grounded in January
Absolutely loved this delightful, heart-warming story!
I bought this book because I was looking for a heartwarming story fitting the season. And it delivered. But it is so much more.
Kate is unhappy with her life in Arizona, and Ox struggles with health issues he’s trying to hide but can’t ignore. After a chance meeting, and over the course of about a week, they realize what they both really want from life, and begin to work toward it.
The story has emotional ups and downs, which makes it believable and real. I wanted it to go on and hope there will be a sequel.
For a delightful “romcomdram” with a bit of suspense, this is a perfect book to pick up. Kate Wilson has been struggling to find out why her life isn’t what makes her happy. She’s not sure why. So she decides to return to her home town where she grew up to surprise her parents and search for answers. One big hurdle in getting there, is her fear of flying. Plus, add a few other anxieties and her klutziness, as she fearfully steps onto the plane, and I was pulled right into the pages. Her flight is the beginning of a story that I enjoyed immensely.
As her luck, or fate would have it, when Kate reaches her destination at her parent’s house, lo and behold, they have taken a trip to Hawaii unbeknownst to her. Now she’s stranded in Washington and no where to go. She decides to try and get a flight back to Arizona in spite of her great fear of flying. But that wasn’t meant to be, either. There’s a snowstorm and all fights are grounded. Enter Oxnard (Ox) Swanson and the spark of a connection between them starts to smolder. This is the essence of a Hallmark movie in the making!
The characters in this story are so easy to connect to. They are human with feelings and emotions that Ms. Hendricks wrote into them tenderly and had me empathizing with each one. She adds humor, drama, anxiety, doubts and scenes written in details that were easy to visualize and had me experiencing them along with the characters. I especially liked the humor in the situations from Kate’s accident proneness. Or more her clumsiness. It added to her adorable personality. The way Ms. Hendricks wrote about Ox’s MS diagnosis was with care and compassion. His feelings and fears about what it meant for his future were heart tugging. I absolutely loved the yellow lab, Bayou. He was intuitive with both Kate and Ox. He knew just when they needed him to comfort them and bring a calmness.
This story is a sweet romance that touched my heart. It’s so well written and heartwarming. The feelings that Ox and Kate had for each other were carefully and perfectly paced. The walls they had up were chiseled away with the help of a wise and understanding guest at the inn, named Maggie. She guided Kate and Ox to seek the answers for themselves with bits of nudging care. The devotion and unconditional love of Bayou is so joyful and exactly how dog lovers feel about their fur babies. He is such a great character in the book.
This book was a feel-good, light escape for me. It is a story about letting go and trusting in someone. That love for another knowing they will be there for each other no matter what. Together, love is what matters the most. I liked this passage from the book that Maggie shares with Kate: “Faith and hope is all around me. We can choose to be happy, even if we’re missing a piece of our self.”
I want to thank Ms. Hendricks for the lovely copy of this book. It is a fantastic five star novel for me. I can’t wait for the next one! My granddaughter enjoyed her children’s book “Nonnie and I” very much and the message she shares in it. I am honored to have read this book and all thoughts and opinions in this review are my heartfelt own.
Loved the book, the story was well written and the characters were intriguing. Once I started I could not get enough, from the start till the end I was engrossed I was even on the edge of my seat with twists and turns, lust and passion, strength happiness and love. The story of sensational feelings that can run through the body while reading. Do yourself a favor and buy the book you want be disappointed.
Thank you for allowing me to review your book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sweet, Sad, Funny, and Romantic = A Good Read
What an absolutely wonderful contemporary romance! The story pulled me right in with the heroine’s fear of flying in the first scene. She is on an airplane heading home. This scene was so realistically done, with everything that the heroine was thinking and feeling while in fear mode, such amazing detail that brought you right into the mind and emotions of the character. She is also a bit of a klutz, poor thing. Then we meet the hero as he is grappling with his MS diagnosis, making him a very empathetic character as well. He has an adorable dog named Bayou. The author did a great job of balancing the romantic angle with the hero’s physical issues and concerns. Again, with the hero, the author did an excellent job helping us understand his reaction to his diagnosis and his fears and ways of coping. This could have been a very heavy book, but it was not. Instead, I found it to be beautiful and uplifting. Yes, of course, there are some sad moments, but they are balanced out by many sweet or even humorous moments. How could you not help it like Maggie as well? I adored how the author tackled weighty topics like a life-altering diagnosis and a widow’s grief with delicacy and realistic insights that added so much to the story without being too much. Such a rare thing in contemporary romances; it is quite a skill! A fantastic read perfect for a quiet, cold winter’s day.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
Kate’s smart, clumsy, beautiful, and she’s unhappy with her life. She needs to get her groove back, so she heads home to surprise her parents for Christmas. The surprise is on her – they went to Hawaii. Ox owns the inn, and he has MS. He thinks that he’ll never have the wife and family that he’s always hoped for, because he couldn’t stand for someone to have to take care of him. Kate ends up at the inn, and they get to know each other, both secretly hoping for more than the developing friendship. This is a wonderful and charming book, easy to read. The characters are real and flawed, searching for more in life. Maggie is a gem with her words of wisdom. And sweet Bayou, the yellow English lab, who knocks on doors to sleep with the guests – he just steals the show! This is my first book from this author, and I’m looking forward to more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What a perfect book to start off the new year and the month of January! The setting is perfect with lots of snow! I loved the characters (of course, my favorite will always be the dog, especially a lab). Such a sweet story on making life changing decisions, addressing fears and handling a MS diagnosis. And there is romance brewing at the Inn! A really great read; would make a great Hallmark Winterfest movie!
A really good, well written story with a great storyline, by an Author I have not read before. This Author dealt with Oxnard/Ox’s M.S. issue very well. This is Oxnard Swanson his rescue dog Bayou and the woman Kate Wilson who comes into his life and becomes his Blessing. Kate is a walking disaster, this story kept me laughing as I read. From the very start she trips getting onto the airplane and from there it just goes down hill for her. She was going to surprise her parents they are in Hawaii, so she decides to change her flight and the airport is closing and the only one there is Ox closing up. If you like a book that brings you joy this is it. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Accident prone, anxiety riddled Kate. What a memorable and lovely character. All of the characters were wonderful and I’d love to see them each get their own story – turn this into the first in a series. This is my first book by this author, and I doubt it’ll be my last. Amazingly personable characters and a wonderful and realistic storyline. Joys and bumps, anxieties and hope. Truly a wonderful story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is such a fabulous book!! Very sweet, thought-provoking and uplifting! It does not just touch on real-life issues but it actually has the reader experience those issues along with Ox and Katie. I especially liked how Ms. Hendricks allows us such a valuable insight into what it is like to actually have MS in every aspect. Physically, mentally and emotionally. This is something I can appreciate and relate to since I also have this disease that afflicts many throughout the world but remains generally unknown by the majority of people. Thank you for shining a light on this terrible disease.
Savannah Hendricks is now one of a select few authors that I will be keeping a close watch on for any and all future books.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Kate and Ox are complete strangers who have fears they need to resolve. When Kate is stranded at Ox’s Inn they are forced to lean on each other. Will this be what they both need?
I really enjoyed this sweet story. I found the characters to loveable and their problems realistic. This story tugged at my heart and left me feeling warm and fuzzy!
I would definitely recommend this book to others.
This book tugged at my heart. For the sympathetic and intuitive comfort provided by Bayou (a rescued dog), for the trials life is throwing at Oxnard, and for the fears and searching for “home” for which Kate struggles. Even the secondary characters are amazing.
This wonderful story had me laughing out loud right from the first chapter. It also had me sniffling into my tissue and yelling at the characters. My dogs think I’ve lost my mind.
If you want a story that warms your heart in every direction, this is the book for you.
The way the author dealt with fears is phenomenal, from the fear of flying to the devastation of a chronic illness diagnosis. Savannah dealt with both with humor and seriousness and kept me engaged from page one. It also didn’t hurt that Bayou was a huge part of the story. I love that dog! The sensitivity and warmth reflected throughout the story brought all the feels to the edge. A happily ever after with some very real life issues. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
I love stories that take place in the snow, and Grounded in January was not only set in a snowstorm, but Kate finds herself stranded in one with an unlikely host.
I adored how Ms. Hendricks uses the snowstorm and the complications that come with being stranded with strangers, and how the setting influences the characters and their actions. One thing I found especially rewarding was the illness Ox has to deal with and his livelihood as a pilot and how that would play out was a catalyst in wanting to read further.
The story read at a steady pace and kept me turning the pages. If I’m honest, I wanted to find out how Ox’s problems were resolved due to his diagnosis and living with MS for the rest of his life, more than Kate who was dealing with an identity crisis. Kate’s predicament was fairly predicable, but I loved the way Ox’s resolution and future were carefully sketched and not given the “perfect” outcome.
I enjoyed this story and recommend it to anyone who enjoys a sweet, heartwarming story of finding love even when the stakes are less than the perfect scenario.
I was gifted a copy of Grounded in January and I’m voluntarily leaving my review.
Grounded in January is a delightful, sweet, witty, easy to read romance. I instantly fell in love with the two main characters Kate and Oxnard and his adorable rescue dog Bayou!
Kate is an intelligent, beautiful, creative (but terribly clumsy) young woman who can’t figure out why she is so unhappy. She decides to fly back to her childhood home to search for answers. Ox is a handsome, charming owner of Inn of the Woods who is struggling with his MS diagnosis and the fact that he may never be able to fulfill his dreams of marriage and family. They meet by chance or is it fate? As Kate and Ox get to know each other, they both learn to overcome obstacles and face fears that bring them closer together. They find that love is about hope and faith.
A story with some serious issues, a happy ending and some funny things in between, Savannah Hendricks did a great job!