Fans of RaeAnne Thayne, Lori Wilde, and Fern Michaels will delight in this beautiful Christmas love story with a heart the size of Texas. A visit to Janet Dailey’s Christmas Tree Ranch is the perfect kick-off to a flawless holiday season! “Cute…The festive atmosphere and charming cast—Megan’s younger brother, Daniel, who has Down syndrome, is especially well-developed—will draw readers in.” —… well-developed—will draw readers in.”
—Publishers Weekly
She’s all he wants for Christmas. Maybe even forever…
Conner Branch hasn’t stopping thinking about the sultry singer he spotted on stage during last year’s Cowboy Christmas ball. So imagine his surprise when he discovers the demure kindergarten teacher who comes home for the holidays to Branding Iron, Texas, is the very same woman. And once he’s up close and personal with the mesmerizing Megan, he’s downright determined to keep her by his side for good…
If only Conner Branch were simply the star struck cowboy she once believed him to be, Megan wouldn’t have to worry about losing everything to the rugged—and wildly romantic—rancher. With Christmas in the air, it’s a little too easy to imagine spending the holidays, not to mention her whole life, wrapped in Conner’s loving arms. But this songstress has hopes for a big career back in Nashville. And no little holiday romance will ever get in the way of that. So what’s a woman to do when she finds herself facing down a love as big and bold as Texas itself?
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I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
This was a delightful tale. I adored the cast of characters. This book is really the third one in the series The Christmas Tree Farm (even though it isn’t noted as such). There were some parts that seems vaguely familiar but then I read a LOT!
Megan is in town to spend the holidays with her family and to sing at the Cowboy Christmas Ball. She is a school teacher in Nashville to help further her singing career as Miss Lacy Leatherwood. Connor is a partner at the Christmas Tree Ranch and last year at the Ball fell heavily for the gorgeous, sexy singer. He is so looking forward to this year’s ball to see the singer again.
This story is how these two characters meet and fall in love. Both have a secret. Megan’s is her alter ego and Connor’s, well he knows her secret. See when Daniel, her brother, was injured, Megan sang to him while Connor drove them to the clinic. How could he forget that sultry voice?
The book is written in the dual POV format. I adore this. It is my absolute favorite format. I get to see the characters’ thoughts so I can fully identify with and understand the characters better.
This is a sweet, clean romance that I would highly recommend to anyone of any age. The only disappointment, no puppies!!!!! Especially the adorable ones on the cover.
I love a good Christmas romance! This book read like my other favorite, a Hallmark Christmas movie. When Megan goes home for Christmas, it’s to put on her alter persona, Lacy, a sexy singer and perform at the annual Christmas Ball. She had no idea how some snow and accidentally ending up in a ditch was going to change her life. Conner was looking at a life with his faithful fur friend, Bucket, after his housemate, Travis, gets married at Christmas. He was more in tune with his life being different when he rescued Megan. The only problem was he was thinking it was going to be different once he met his dream woman, sexy singer, Lacy.
This is the third book in The Christmas Tree Ranch series. I have not read the previous two, which I assume to be the love stories of Rush and Travis. I don’t feel that they are necessary to enjoy this book. After reading this book, though, I am left wanting to go back and read the first two.
I loved the characters in this book, which included two characters, with a wonderful storyline, who have Down Syndrome and another character in a wheelchair. I thought the author wrote realistically about these characters, which was something I appreciated. I loved the dilemmas in the relationships between various characters. I was pleasantly surprised the author touched on other couples while maintaining focus on the main characters. The storyline was very interesting, (yes, I’m being a bit vague but it’s because I dislike spoilers and try to avoid them. I want you to read the book for yourself.), and had all the feels I was expecting. My favorite quote was, “A person who hurts is a person who is hurting.” Something I think is good to keep in mind when dealing with people. When I closed the book, I gave a contented sigh. If you are looking for a holiday romance, you should pick this one up.
*I won a Kindle copy of this title in a Goodreads Giveaway. I am grateful to them, the author, and the publishers, for the opportunity to read this book. No review was required. I voluntarily reviewed this book and based my review on my enjoyment reading it.*
This is the first novel that I can recall reading by Janet Dailey, and I am impressed. The setting is described so beautifully, characters are well defined through actions and conversations with engaging dialogue, and an interesting plot. I do not often read romance novels unless there it is historical or have a mystery involved, but this was well worth it.
Megan came to Branding Iron, Texas, a couple weeks before the Christmas holiday began at the Nashville school she teaches at. Her boyfriend, Derek, is principal at the school and having a hard time adjusting to her not being there, but Megan wants to help with her family’s needs. I love her brother, Daniel, a sweet, hardworking young man who wants to marry Katy, who works at the grocery where he does. Both have Downs Syndrome and their parents think it isn’t in their best interest to marry. Daniel wants to learn how to drive, but their mom is against it. Megan and Daniel’s mother has MS and is unable to do many things she used to do. She does paint and also illustrates children’s books.
Megan has one secret from the people in Branding Iron. She has been trying to break into being a singer for quite some time. To get more gigs, she took on the persona of Lacy Leatherwood with a completely different look. She hesitates to tell anyone, as people become too interested in Lacy instead of the real Megan. Last year, her band asked her to join them in Branding Iron at the annual Cowboy Christmas Ball. Conner, a partner at the Christmas Tree Ranch, completely fell in love with who he thought Lacy was. He has been looking forward to this year’s ball in hopes of seeing her again.
Megan and Conner meet when he saw her car partially slid into a ditch near the ranch during a snowstorm. They got to know each other a bit and he invited her to the dinner that would be at the home of the fiancée of one of his partners. Tracy, the wife of one of the partners, recognized her from meeting her last year. Tracy and Maggie, fiancée of the other partner, talked about how much Conner liked Lacy last year, and that if she is interested in him, she should tell him who she is soon. Conner seems like “heartbreak on the hoof” to Megan even as her attraction to him grows. Conner, never one to date anyone for more than a good time, has feelings for Megan that he never imagined having for a woman again, even Lacy. And what will she do about her boyfriend in Nashville?
I very much enjoyed this sweet romance that is a fun clean read apart from some mild cursing. The small town, Texas, setting at Christmas was a great backdrop for this third in the Christmas Tree Ranch series. Even though I had not read the first two, there was sufficient backstory to understand who each person is. Plot twists in the form of conflict, career choices, and the needs of family members, keep it moving quickly. The end was very satisfying with every loose end tied up. I highly recommend this to fans of the author, and those who enjoy sweet romances with likable characters, and a Texas or Christmas setting.
From a thankful heart: I received a copy of this novel through Goodreads First Reads, and this is my honest review.
Love all of her books!
Holding Out for Christmas is a seasonal feel good story featuring Megan and Connor along with their friends and family. Megan is a teacher and aspiring counter singer, alter ego, Lacy. She travels home for the holidays and meets Connor when she becomes stuck in a snow drift right outside the Christmas Tree Ranch. Connor owns and works the ranch with his two best friends. The two get to know each other over the time she is there, but Megan is hesitant because she believes Connor is only interested in her alter ego, Lacy, who he saw at the Christmas dance the year before. Lacy, a country music seductress, is mostly what Megan thinks she isn’t. As she spends more time at home she realizes how much her family needs her and considers moving home to possibly teach and assist her brother and mother. She also thinks about a possible commitment with Connor.
I loved the clean story line and slow tension as it increased between Megan and Connor as their relationship unfolded. I also appreciated how giving Megan was in all aspects of her life, esp. in relation to her Down Syndrome brother, Daniel, and his desire for independence.
I was a little disappointed there weren’t more dogs/puppies in the story weaved into the plot because the cover is what interested me in the first place.
Overall, it was a quick and enjoyable read that I would recommend. I won this story from Goodreads and the author. This is my honest opinion of this book.
Holding Out for Christmas is a seasonal feel good story featuring Megan and Connor along with their friends and family. Megan is a teacher and aspiring counter singer, alter ego, Lacy. She travels home for the holidays and meets Connor when she becomes stuck in a snow drift right outside the Christmas Tree Ranch. Connor owns and works the ranch with his two best friends. The two get to know each other over the time she is there, but Megan is hesitant because she believes Connor is only interested in her alter ego, Lacy, who he saw at the Christmas dance the year before. Lacy, a country music seductress, is mostly what Megan thinks she isn’t. As she spends more time at home she realizes how much her family needs her and considers moving home to possibly teach and assist her brother and mother. She also thinks about a possible commitment with Connor.
This was a real enjoyable read with characters and a story line that could tug at your heartstrings .
Megan wanted to take a chance on Conner as he had challenged her to, but that Cowboy was heartbreak on the hoof, and she was so daring when she was in her Lacy costume but with him she was so hesitant because he did things to her whole being and she knew he had left a trail of broken hearts.
And oh this epilogue, it will fill you and you can almost hear the words and guitar music when Megan sings her song at the ball.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
Heartwarming holiday goodness and emotionally thrilling journey filled with witty and engaging charters, heart racing twists and exciting passion. I really enjoyed the chemistry and banter between Conner and Megan. A sweetly thrilling adventure from beginning to end.
I like this book because it’s sweet and well written. In some moments I had struggled with Megan, because she is too insecure and keeps sabotaging herself. Conner is a sexy cowboy who owns Christmas Tree Ranch along with his partners. He is also a heart breaker, so our heroine is always doubting his interest. She has this other secret life as a singer called Lacy. She is jealous of herself because everyone keeps telling her that Conner fell in insta love with Lacy in Christmas Ball last year when he saw her on stage.
These two had a lot to work out before finding their HEA. This is a slow burn sweet little town romance for romantic souls who like old school love stories
I’ve received an ARC of this book and all the options are my own
Thank you to NetGalley, Janet Dailey and Kensington Books for an ARC. This is my personal review in exchange for the ARC.
Holding Out for Christmas is a sweet romantic love story that will put you in a good mood after enjoying it.
Conner is a retired Professional Bull Rider who now own a Christmas Tree farm in Texas with two of his friends.
Megan is a kindergarten teacher in Nashville, and she is an aspiring country singer with the group Badger Hollow Boys.
Megan is spending the holidays in Texas with her family and to play at the annual Cowboy Christmas Ball. And to help her parents with her brother who has Downs Syndrome and her Mom is in a wheelchair. Megan is torn between staying in Nashville to pursue her singing career or moving to Texas to help her family.
Megan and Conner meet when she is on her way to her parents and runs in the ditch on slippery roads. He stops to help her, and sparks fly between the two.
Janet Dailey has written another beautiful story.
This is a wonderful story set in Branding Iron, Texas. Last year at the Cowboy Christmas Ball, Conner Branch starting crushing on the singer that performed with the Badger Hollow Boys, Lacy Leatherwood. He’s determined that he’ll meet her this year. Megan Carson comes home early for Christmas break, to help out her parents. On the way to their house, she slides off the road. Luckily, Conner sees her brake lights and comes to her rescue. They’re attracted to one another, but Megan has a boyfriend waiting for her in Nashville. Grab this wonderful story and see what happens when Conner finds out that his dream woman is closer than he thinks. I loved reading about Conner’s partners in the Christmas Tree Ranch and their lady loves. I also loved reading about Daniel and his sweet Katy. There’s some angst in this story, but that makes the story more interesting.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley and this is my voluntary and honest review.
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Megan Carson is home in Branding Iron, Texas to help out with her family. Her mother suffers from Multiple Sclerosis and is confined to a wheelchair and her younger brother has Down’s Syndrome. It’s Christmas time and there’s lots to do so Megan takes off early from her job teaching kindergarten in Nashville to help out. Megan has dreamed of becoming a Country and Western star and does some singing with local country and western bands. She has her doubts these days about whether or not she is ever going to make it big. So she has lots to think about. Lately she has been distracted by her attraction to former champion bull rider Conner Branch. Should she stay in Branding Iron or return to Nashville?
Conner Branch sowed some crazy wild oats when he was on the rodeo circuit. An injury when he was thrown from a bull ended his rodeo career and his wild ways. Now he is settled down and enjoying being a co-owner of Christmas Tree Ranch. It’s getting close to Christmas and he can’t keep his mind off of the singer Lacy Leatherwood who he saw on stage last year at the Cowboy Christmas Ball. He sure hopes she will be back again and he can meet her. In the meantime he does meet Megan Carson when her car slides off the road in a snowstorm and he comes to her rescue. There’s something special about Megan and he wants to get to know her better. Maybe she is “the one.”
There’s lots of Christmas spirit in this story. The hero, Conner Branch is very busy cutting down trees for sale in Branding Iron, Texas and on the ranch. There are sleigh rides, hot chocolate and toasting marshmallows over a cozy bonfire. That should get the reader into the Christmas spirit. Then there’s the Christmas parade and the Cowboy Christmas Ball. The Ball is where Conner first set eyes on the heroine in this story Megan Carson but Conner didn’t know at that time that it was Megan. Megan was on stage singing and had the stage name Lacy Leatherwood. This throws some complications into Megan and Conner’s relationship. I enjoyed reading how they both came to realize that honesty and trust are important in a relationship. This was a fun Christmas romance to read.
This is the story of Connor, a retired due to injury, bull-rider who owns a Christmas Tree Farm and Megan aka Lacy Leatherwood, a school teacher by day and country singer by night. This is a sweet romance, complete with all the usual drama that occurs in a romance novel. The bad boy falls in love, etc. But what is unique about this story is the selflessness Megan shows toward her family, especially her brother with Downs Syndrome. Her mother is in a wheelchair as well and Megan returns from Nashville to help her family. Her dad, working full time, is stretched to his limits caring for her brother and mother. Even though he has Downs Syndrome and his parents are very protective, Daniel wants to live his own life and be treated as the 24 year old man he is. He is in love with Katy, also with Downs Syndrome, and they want to marry. They both have full time jobs but their parents naturally worry. Will they be taken advantage of? Can they make decisions on their own? Etc. Daniel feels he must have a driver’s license in order to marry Katy and be independent. Megan sets about seeing how she can make that safely happen. Even though Daniel and Katy are secondary characters, I love their story. I am a total sucker for the underdog and when an author can bring to light the struggles and challenges they face, it melts my heart.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this advanced review copy. In return, I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
The emotion in this story packs a punch. Conner is primed and ready for a real relationship, unlike Megan, and the shadow of all his “fun times” doesn’t help. Story has depth and the characters are well developed but I think their lives were so full that they didn’t have enough dating/romance time. Even still, it’s an encouraging and delightful story that kept me totally engrossed until the end.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Very sweet Christmas story. The book is about Conner, a retired Professional Bull Rider. That now runs a Christmas Farm in Texas with his two best friends. Life is getting a little lonely for Connor since one friend moved out and got married and his other friend is engaged and his wedding is weeks away. They love teasing Conner about his crush on a singer from last years Christmas Ball. On the way back to the ranch, with the snow falling down heavily Conner see some tail lights in a ditch. He turns around to see if someone needs help and meets up with Megan, armed with pepper spray. There are several storylines that all interweaves Conner and Megan. Well written and a fast read.
Conner is an ex champion bull rider who’s career ended when he was badly injured. Now he helps run a Christmas tree ranch, with his two friends. At the annual Christmas Ball the town has, he is instantly attracted to the singer of the band. He can’t stop thinking of her all year.
Megan is home for Christmas, from Nashville, where she teaches, and and working on making it as a singer. When she slips on a snowy night, Conner is there to rescue her. Little does he know, she’s his dream woman. But the more he gets to know Megan, he knows she is what he wants.
This was really good story. The characters are all wonderful and well written. And what better background for a love story than a snowy Christmas tree ranch, and a small town. I really enjoyed this story, but found a few times that I couldn’t get into it. But over all it was good story, was well written, and a fast read. I definitely recommend it, if your looking for a light, easy Christmas time love story.
A school teacher comes home for Christmas to be with her parents and help with her brother who has Dow syndrome finds out how things really are at home now and need her there she left her controlling boyfriend behind in New York and tries to make a new life at home with a new love interest kept you interested from start to finish wondering what was going to happen in the characters lives a really good book well worth reading