Can the magic of the season keep them together beyond Christmas?Top 1 Amazon Bestseller in American Literature AnthologiesTop 3 Amazon Bestseller in Holiday FictionWhen Luciana Romano arrives in Hudson Springs, New York, her plan is to complete her restoration job at the museum so she can return home to her family right after Christmas. But a blizzard grounds all flights, and she finds herself … blizzard grounds all flights, and she finds herself stranded. The DiLorenzo family offers her a place to stay, and she accepts their hospitality. But the unexpected attraction between her and the quiet, good-looking son makes it hard to want to leave.
Jack DiLorenzo is stuck. Managing the family’s Italian café is not what he’d planned to do with his life, but his sense of duty won’t let him quit. When his grandmother invites a Portuguese woman to stay with them, Jack feels something he hasn’t felt for a long time: hope. He knows he shouldn’t get close to Luciana since she’s leaving as soon as the airport opens, but he can’t help himself.
Yet as the magic of the season begins to work on them, he wonders how he can let go of the woman who’s awakened his heart.
Books in the Romano Family series:
– Book 1- Hold Me At Twilight
– Book 2- Meet Me At Sunrise
– Book 3- Love Me At Sunset
– Book 4- Keep Me At Christmas
– Book 5- Kiss Me At Midnight (coming soon)
Previously published as part of the Destined for Love: Resorts collection:
— Matched by Design by Lindzee Armstrong
— Keep Me At Christmas by Lucinda Whitney
— Second Chance in Paradise by Jennifer Peel
— The Trust of a Billionaire by Michelle Pennington
— Marrying an Athlete by Anne-Marie Meyer
— Her Big Fat Dreamy Billionaire Ex by Victorine E. Lieske
— If the Suit Fits by Sally Johnson
— Kings Crossed Lovers by Donna K. Weaver
more
I am such a fan of the Romano Family and am SO excited that Luciana and Jack’s story is here! And it’s only $0.99 for a limited time. 🙂
Sweet. Romantic. Charming. This is truly a Christmas romance that warms your heart and fills you with good cheer. The characters are real down to earth family oriented people who make you feel welcome and comfortable. It’s a beautiful story about two people not looking for love but, finding it anyway, much to their surprise. Now, they must figure out how to make it work living on two continents.
This is an excellent story that is timeless no matter the calendar reads.
This is the fourth book in the Romano Family series. I have read the previous three books and enjoyed them just as much as I did this one.
Luciana Romano lives in Portugal near her family but she has flown to New York to prepare an exhibit for a museum. While in Hudson Springs, she meets Jack DiLorenzo and his mother and grandmother. At first, Jack is resistant to the interference from his mother and grandmother in his love life but as he spends more time with Luciana, he wonders if there could be something worth pursuing. The problem is that he was hurt badly by a former girlfriend and hasn’t dated anyone for the past two years. But, Luciana makes him want something more. She is only going to be in town for a couple of weeks and he is responsible for helping at the diner since his father’s passing. He can’t just pick up and leave and travel to Europe on a whim. . . or can he?
I was given a complimentary copy to read I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story and I am happy to post a review. This was a clean romance with no descriptive sex or foul language.
Another terrific installment in the Romano Family series! I love how Ms. Whitney’s characters are so genuine that I feel as if I know them personally, and I found this to be true in this book as well. Such a great story that I will be certain to read again and again!
Other than being from the opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean, the main couple have a lot in common––big families, matchmaking grandmas, no love interest.
That last part changes when they meet… but they can’t really be in love after just a few days, can they? And what about living an ocean apart?
The characters were really well done. The foreign words were few and either translated or easily understood in context. Although it’s a stand-alone in the series, mention is made of the romances covered in previous books… just enough to make you want to read them if you haven’t already.
I had a free copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. I enjoyed reading Lucinda’s book. The plot was well developed and the characters were believable. I enjoyed the interaction between the main characters and the way the book ended.
Keep Me at Christmas is book four in the Romano Family series. Luciana is determined to get in, do her job, and get out. But Mother Nature has other plans, and she finds herself stranded in New York. Jack is managing his family’s cafe, but that is not what he really wants to do. When Luciana stays with them while stranded, he finds himself drawn to her, feelings of hope blossoming in his heart. But can he figure out a way to make this last? Their story captivated me. It has the feel-goods that make you want to keep reading until the end, while wishing there was no end at the same time. I definitely recommend this book.
This is a well written, clean romantic holiday story. It is the 4th book in this series and as with the others is a joy to read. It has a captivating story line that is full of intriguing and enjoyable characters. Luciana and Jack have great chemistry and I enjoyed reading the story of their romance.
Keep Me at Christmas by Lucinda Whitney
My rating is 4.5 Stars
Being from Portugal, Luciana had never been in the snow before this trip to New York to help with preparing a textile display at a museum in a small town upstate. She got to go from no snow to more than she could imagine. I loved how she was so willing to try new things there. Skiing, ice skating…
The small town that Luciana visited was so lovely. The Christmas decorations made it feel so homey. I’ve always thought it would be so nice to visit a small town at Christmas time to experience the lights and the festive atmosphere. Keep Me At Christmas not only brought me to a lovely small town but added in a bonus of an attractive, romantic Italian baker!
Jack was cautious about risking his heart after a bad experience two years previous, but Luciana managed to break down all his defenses. He had a heart of gold – bringing bread to those trapped by the blizzard and shoveling snow to help them as well.
Jack’s sweet, meddling Mamma and Nonna were lovely. Nonna struggled a little with English, which resulted in some cute things that she said. I love the way Jack treated them both with such kindness and respect.
I liked the fact that Jack’s and Luciana’s families were both large, European families, one from Italy and the other from Portugal. I also really appreciated how close they were to their relatives, with a special bond. Both were nursing hurts, Jack for what had been, Luciana for what never was.
While sometimes it is fun to read stories with big dramatic plots, murders, and major conflicts, I really enjoy stories like this one as well, where the conflict can be as simple as learning to trust after being hurt and dealing with living on separate continents. This was a very sweet and enjoyable story.
This review was originally posted on AmongTheReads.net.
Get a preview of Keep Me at Christmas at amongTheReads.net
I would like to thank Lucinda Whitney for giving me this copy of the book. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.
This was the first book I read by this author. Now I am sorry I missed the first three (3) in the series. Getting to know Jack and Luciana and their families was through this well written story was very nice. The story flowed well and kept me wanting to read more. I was totally hooked. A very easy read and a lovely story. I do not like to read a series out of order so I probably will not read the first three but cannot wait for number 5.
Luciana and Jack’s story is a delightful addition to both the Romano series and the Destination Resorts series. It can also be read as a stand-alone. The characters have depth and the addition of both families is wonderful. The location sounds lovely but very cold! I definitely recommend this book, it is a sweet and comfortable story that keeps you reading until the very last page.
I let out a happy sigh at the end of this book. I loved the story, I loved the romance, I loved the characters, and it put me in the Christmas spirit. Jack and Luciana are both genuine, kind, good people. Umm…and Jack can cook! (The attractive meter just jumped to another level!) Jack’s mom and grandma were so fun! They are determined matchmakers, and so cute about it! I already love the Romano family, and now the DiLorenzo family is right there with them.
This is the fourth book in the Romano Family series, but does stand alone. There are some cross over characters though, and it is fun to know them already. Or read this book and then the others, and enjoy seeing Luciana. Either way, just enjoy the books!
I received a complimentary copy of the book, which I voluntarily reviewed. I have given my honest opinion.
I really enjoy reading about the Romano family. I like how the author shares about the lives of each member. There are a lot of family members, so I’m looking forward to reading more about each one. (Hint to the author, more books please) The best part, descriptive to where the reader feels like they could be there too.
All the books are well written, with interesting characters and realistic dialog, and intriguing storylines. The books are clean and don’t have the annoying Stupid formula. (Characters act immature, don’t communicate their feelings and problems while having sex all the time they’re together: the Stupid formula.) Ms. Whitney shows that the plots can have suspense and intrigue without the stupidity.
Lucinda Whitney, Meet Me At Sunrise – Clean, fun, romantic. A well written, warmhearted romance set on a river cruise ship, with a touch of intrigue. The believable, interesting characters and plot grab your attention and the next thing you know, the story is finished. There’s an overview of the book, which I appreciate. Two of the main characters were introduced in Meet Me At Twilight, another delightful read. I contacted the author to review her books. 5*
Lucinda Whitney, Hold Me At Twilight – A well written, warmhearted romance with more members of the Romano family, featured in Meet Me At Sunrise. The believable, interesting characters and plot grab your attention and the next thing you know, the story is finished too quickly. There’s an overview of the book, which I appreciate. Two of the characters from this book are main characters in Meet Me At Sunrise, a delightful novel. 5*
Lucinda Whitney, Love Me At Sunset – Another well written, intriguing romance with some characters we’ve met before, both good and bad. They’re believable and realistic. The plot is well thought out and is more than just a romance. The Romano family series has been entertaining and hopefully, there may be more? There’s an overview of the story, which I appreciate knowing what the book is about before reading it. 5*
Keep Me At Christmas – Another clean, fun, romance spanning two countries. Just as well written as the rest of the Romano Family series of books. I look forward to reading every story from Ms. Whitney. She doesn’t believe in stupid formulas and her stories prove it. Just wonderful people trying to do the best they can and the right thing, too. The characters communicate and work problems out; they don’t fight, flight or act stupid. As always, the rest of Romanos appear to say hello and give updates to their stories. I wish there were more Jacks in the world, instead of the modern-man-type of today. A well written, warmhearted romance Has an overview of the story, which I appreciate knowing. 5*
A Small Chance – I have loved every book that pertains to the group of characters from the Portugal Series and this novella isn’t any different. A heartwarming, well written romance with a twist in the history and the present of the two main characters. The intriguing storyline keeps the reader immersed in the pages. The interesting characters are realistic and have mature thoughts, actions and dialog; no stupid formula here. A Small Chance is a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours relaxing. Has an overview, which I appreciate knowing the storyline before hand. There’s a two chapter preview included of The Secret Life of Daydreams, a couple of delicious looking recipes, as well as the usual stuff books contain. 5*
So many of the details I loved in this book! I always enjoy the foreign perspective from Portugal that this author provides in at least one of her main characters. As an art major I appreciated Luciana’s love for textiles and learning about the restoration process for some pieces for the exhibition she was in charge of. The food was an important element in the book and really brought the setting to life. Even though Luciana is struggling a bit and wants a brief escape from her family, she has a naturally optimistic personality which I loved. She brings light into Jack’s mundane life and her presence helps him realize what it is that he’s missing in his life. I enjoyed watching these two lovely people grow closer together and work out their plans for the future in the midst of the Christmas season. There is a strong sense of family loyalty and it made the book a cozy read.
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
This was a great book. I loved meeting Luciana and Jack. Both characters had depth to them that made them real and lovable. I loved the chemistry between them and how they were brought together at just the right time. This was a sweet romance that was great for getting away for a couple hours. I recommend to anyone that loves sweet romance filled with hope.
A very sweet, clean romance between Jack and Luciana. His mama and Nonna play matchmaker. Is two weeks long enough to fall in love forever? Can their relationship survive long distance? I really liked this book so I also got the audio. The narrator was really good.
This was a really sweet love story. I loved these characters and the relationship they shared. They had great chemistry. This was a really sweet, clean romance.
Landing in Hudson Springs just before the Christmas season is a bitter-sweet experience for Luciana. She is excited about the short-term post she has at the museum, and is more than happy to get away from weddings, cooing couples and over-zealous relatives setting her up for the next date. Discovering the DiLorenzo Bakery is a plus, because apart from the delicious treats, they make the best coffee in town. Meeting Jack DiLorezno is no hardship either. They do have one thing in common: matching making relatives. When Jack’s mother and grandmother unapologetically ask Luciana for her phone number, she cannot help but sympathise with him. As with all the other books in the Romano series, Keep Me at Christmas is romantic, clean and well-written. It was a delight to read about characters from other books in the series and the progress in their lives. However, this one is also a stand-alone and ends on a happy and joyful note. I received a copy of this book for free as a gift, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
I love the Romano family. I love Christmas stories. No surprise then that I loved this sweet romance. This book is another great Romano family story. Luciana and Jake have great chemistry. The supporting characters are also well done. You will not want to put it down. This December I want to visit Hudson Springs!