“CJ Hunt delivers everything I love in small town romance—sexy heroes, sparky heroines and a warm, vibrant community you want to settle into.” ~Dani Collins, USA Today Bestselling AuthorGinger Lewis knows from personal experience that the world is full of dangerous people. She’s been lucky enough to escape her rough past and cherishes her stable work family and lovable bulldog, Max. And she knows … and lovable bulldog, Max. And she knows better than to try to rescue a stranger in a snowstorm. Especially one with a chiselled jaw, perfect stubble, and 1001 secrets behind those icy blue eyes.
Eli Murphy, on the run and temporarily homeless, should be glad to spend the holidays stuck in the woods with no cell reception and no one who knows him. The isolation will allow him to regroup and plan his next move. But between the festive atmosphere, cozy cabin, and tempting fake girlfriend, Eli finds himself fantasizing about a future he doesn’t deserve. As the Reindeer Games draw to a close, he will have to come to terms with his mistakes or risk losing Ginger—and the chance to make a real home in Rivers End.
Come home to Rivers End and fall in love with this sweet, small town, fake-relationship holiday romance.
While all the Rivers End stories can be read as standalones, you may want to read this series in order to preserve any plot surprises and get the full picture of how the characters lives weave together! The following is the suggested reading order:
The MacAllisters of Rivers End
#1 – Silver Bells (Isaac + Jenna, Beginnings)
#2 – Tipsy (Shannon + Lucas)
#3 – Reindeer Games (Ginger + Eli)
#4 – Wedding Bells (Isaac + Jenna, Happily Ever After)
#5 – Elfed (Lindsay + Noah)
more
Two slightly broken people just trying to make their lives better. Ginger has created a new life in Rivers End with her dog Max and the people who helped her through her tough times. Eli has a good heart but gets involved in situations way above his ability to cope. So much so that he damages his relationship with his sister. He portrays himself as mean and conscienceless, so that she can’t see how petrified he is.
The good people of Rivers End help bring about a satisfying conclusion to the story.
C. J. Hunt has written a series of books set in Rivers End. Although there are different names for each series, the characters are shared throughout the stories. Most of the characters do not share today’s typical stupid formula of not communicating when there’s trouble or imagined trouble; instead are likable and realistic. All the books are well written, fast paced, interesting and have humor. Some of the books are clean; some have cursing or vulgar language; and/ have sex. Personally, I don’t think the sex and vulgar language actually fit in with the sweetness and love that these romances share. I think the sexual tension is more important than what technique so-and-so used; plus written sex is boring. These are quickly read books and are perfect for a couple hours of relaxation.
The MacAllisters Series:
Silver Bells #1 – Heartwarming and fun, and a magical Christmas time frame. A well written, funny, interesting small town romance. There’s plenty of sexual tension, but the story is clean and fast paced. The characters are interesting, realistic and didn’t do stupid dialog or actions. This should be an entertaining small town series. 4*
Tipsy #2 – Picks up the same week as Silver Bells ends, on New Year’s eve. Well written and interesting with humor and set at a fast pace, along with likable characters. I didn’t care that there was a lack of communication instead of a different form of creating a problem between the main characters. I didn’t care for the sex and bad language and think clean works better for this story. That aside I like the story and with the addition of Oona, how The MacAllisters is connected to A Touch of Magic. 4*
Reindeer Games #3 – This cover is too cute.This book starts on Christmas day, where Silver Bells ended. Well written and interesting with the truth about a bad brother from another book. The pace is fast and the characters are believable and there’s a dark side to some of them. I didn’t care for the vulgar language, but the storylines are good. 4*
Wedding Bells #4 – This book picks up in May and adds to the story of the main characters from Silver Bells. Well written, likable characters and a fast pace make this a quick read. There’s a little bit of suspense concerning one character, but it adds to the other storylines. I didn’t care for the vulgar language; find it out of place. 4*
The Witches of River Bend Series:
Merry #1 – We’re still in Rivers End, but now there’s a touch of magic in this story. This is a well written, funny and heartwarming romance set in a small town. The characters were interesting and had realistic dialog. The cousins are a lot of fun and give good gifts. I didn’t care for the infrequent vulgar language, that started with mild cussing; it felt out of place in this type of story. Same with the explicit sex; it was awkward and boring, as is all written sex to me, boorrring. Sexual tension is so much more interesting. I did enjoy the magical potion and think it was a good mix of romance with witches. Since this is my third book by this author and first of the “touch of magic”, I hope there’s more. 4*
Oona #2 – Another well written romance concerning a witch, with a bakery, and an architect. Interesting and fast pace with likable characters, and lots of happenings. 4*