The Perfect Holiday Read!It’s a long way from New York to Idaho…but could they have found a home at last?Dani Capelli has never truly belonged anywhere. And from her earliest days as a foster child in Queens, she would have been lost if it weren’t for her love of animals. Until high school, when she fell hard for the wrong boy, and found herself pregnant—and married—by graduation. Two daughters … pregnant—and married—by graduation. Two daughters later, Dani realized her mistake and filed for divorce, and with the help of scholarships and loans—and a lot of macaroni and cheese dinners—she enrolled in vet school. Things were finally looking up…until her ex-husband became her late husband, in the most notorious way possible.
Now Dani and her daughters need an out-of-town pass more than ever. So when the retiring Haven Point veterinarian offers her a chance to settle in the small Idaho town and take over his practice, she jumps at it. But adjusting to the charming mountain community isn’t easy; thirteen-year-old Silver begins acting out while six-year-old Mia is growing too attached to Haven Point and everything in it, especially their next-door-neighbor, Deputy Sheriff Ruben Morales. And Dani can’t blame her. Ruben is everything she’s secretly wanted—and everything she can’t bear to risk loving…and losing.
As the holidays draw near, their shared concern for Dani’s daughters brings them closer together, giving Ruben the chance to show this big-city woman just how magical Christmas in Haven Point can be…and that the promise of a home at last is very real in the most wondrous season of the year…
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SEASON OF WONDER (A Haven Point Novel #9) by RaeAnne Thayne is a contemporary holiday romance set in the small town of Haven Point, Idaho. This book is part of a series and has some crossover characters, but it is easily read as a standalone.
Daniela “Dani” Capelli is done with veterinary school and has moved herself and her two daughters from Boston to the small town of Haven Point. She has a one year internship lined up with Dr. Morales and is hoping to buy his practice when he retires in the next year. It is a fresh start and she hopes this will be the life she has always wanted for herself and her daughters, Silver and Mia. Dani loves her job, but thirteen year old Silver is having difficulties adjusting to small town life.
Deputy Sheriff Ruben Morales lives next-door to the new vet and her daughters. He is curious about his father’s new associate. She seems to be very caring and loving towards her animal patients and her daughters, but she has a very prickly exterior around him. When he goes out of his way to help Dani with Silver, she begins to fall for the handsome deputy, but she has a secret that she refuses to expose which could possibly destroy their new life in this small town and make Ruben hate her. Ruben refuses to give up on Dani and includes all of the girls in his own family’s holiday traditions and a Christmas in Haven Point becomes life-changing for them all.
I loved all the characters in this story. Dani has overcome so much and yet she could not leave her past hurts and mistakes in the past. That past though is what drove her to be everything for her girls. Ruben was the perfect hero for Dani with his steadfastness and belief in love, family and justice. Silver and Mia were realistic and sweet additions to the story. I loved all the dogs, too.
This romance is sweet and has an intense moment of self-forgiveness. No sex scenes, but lots of love. Along with the romance, the author intertwines a believable story of a teenager dealing with emotions and troubles that impact her whole family. The small town of Haven Point is charming and just right for this Christmas love story.
Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.
As is always the case with Ms. Thayne’s books, Season of Wonder is an amazing read, especially for the holidays. It takes place in her Haven Point “world” but it is a standalone – I just love her books and enjoy knowing all the secondary and tertiary characters. What fun it was to get to know Dani Capelli and her daughters…and Ruben Morales and HIS family.
I won’t recap the details of the story because it would be a major spoiler however Dani struck all my feel-good and protective chords. She has had a hard life, fighting for everything she has ever wanted or had…but she has two amazing daughters who mean the world to her. Her teenager is going thru a tough time, having to adjust to a move from Boston and New York to Haven Point…and Silver is dealing with being the “odd” teenager out. Dani’s six-year-old, Mia, is absolutely adorable. Just a sweetie. Besides dealing with this move, Dani is also the new veterinarian in town, eventually taking over for Ol’ Doc Morales, who also happens to be Ruben’s father.
And Ruben. He is just enough of an alpha to know when to temper his interest and help with Dani – I think it comes from being a Deputy Sheriff/a part of law enforcement. He knows how to be there, but keep his interest under control…however the poor dude doesn’t have an easy time! He really likes Dani, doesn’t have a clue what is making her so skittish, and gets along so well with both Silver and Mia, especially Mia. Some of my favorite scenes were with him and Mia. A child often accepts life just the way it is and to have an adult NOT treat a kid like an idiot – but with kindness and humor and love – well, it doesn’t get any better than that.
Dani interacting with Ruben’s family is both hilarious and touching. She is truly lost in a world of ‘happy families’ but they just treat her like she is part of the fold. Ruben is always there for Dani and her girls…but she has to learn to open herself up to life and the kindness of others. Really wonderful story and will be a part of my holiday reading bookshelf for years to come. Loved it!
Another beautiful story. Loved the interactions between Ruben and Dani’s children, and how he got them to trust him. Sweet and heartwarming.
Oh my goodness! This was a wonderful Christmas romance. RaeAnne Thayne does a phenomenal job of pulling the reader in. This story was full of a whole gamut of emotions, from tears, fears and happiness. I love her Haven Point series. Reading about Dani, the new veterinarian, her two daughters and their hunky neighbor Ruben Morales, had me hooked from the first page. Can’t wait for the next novel.
A cozy story of second chances for the holiday season.
There’s nothing I like better than to be in Haven Point at Christmastime! This author can create stories and characters that put me in the time and place that make me feel like I’m right there in that town alongside these people, experiencing what they are! I feel like I know all of them – and I wish I did! In this book we have Dani, her two children and Deputy Reuben Morales as the main characters. I fell in love with Reuben. He’s one of my favorite characters in the whole series! You don’t have to read any of the other books to know what is happening in this book, it’s a standalone, but all of the books in this series are great. I would love to live in Haven Point! Dani and her kids come from back east to Idaho to run the veterinary clinic in town from Reuben’s father. Dani has a difficult past and she’s risen above it. She doesn’t want to start a relationship with a man during this busy time but she’s drawn to Reuben. He’s so kind and compassionate to her and her children. Silver and Mia were written so realistically, especially Silver who is a teenager and gets in all kinds of trouble. I wasn’t particularly fond of Dani all the time through the book. She seemed a little too rude and standoffish most of the time but in the end, she changed. I know her background wasn’t the best but I still felt she could have been nicer! I loved her young daughter, Mia, though and as I said, Reuben was awesome! The whole book is awesome for the holidays and I highly recommend it to anyone! It will put you in the Christmas spirit!
I received this book through Net Galley & the author but was not required to review it. These thoughts are my own.
First, I must call attention to the absolutely gorgeous cover of this book. From the raised sparkles and printing on the front of it to the classy deckled edges of the pages, this book is a pure delight. Then, when I opened it and found myself back in Haven Point for another of RaeAnne Thayne’s fantastic Christmas stories, it was like being with family and friends. Thayne is a master at capturing the essence of small-town living and populating her stories with realistic, caring, engaging characters.
Ruben Morales and Dani Capelli are the main characters in Season of Wonder, and it was such fun to meet them and see their relationship grow and develop. I loved how caring Ruben was with Dani’s two girls and how he related to them so well. He was such a tender, loving hero.
This book is part of an ongoing series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone. It was fun to see characters from Thayne’s previous books in the series pop up in this story. This author is one of my favorites. Her books are well-written and easy to read and immerse myself in. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys small town romances.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher/NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
RaeAnne Thayne is just one of the best at writing a book that doles out real life problems with heartwarming resolutions. The small town aspect of Season of Wonder and the hunky hero combined with a heroine who fights allowing herself to love, two children trying to adapt to a new life and several dogs thrown in to boot, make this glorious seasonal read a happy place I didn’t want to leave!
I could smell the Christmas tree, feel the snow on my face and taste the hot chocolate. All I need is a soft blanket and I can stay forever.
2.5 stars if I could.
This reads like a Lifetime movie. It’s Christmassy and cheesy and a little over-the-top. The characters were cute and interesting but the situations were a bit contrived. I needed the lightheartedness and fluff after my last book but it may have been too light for me.
It’s a solid palate cleanser.
This is absolutely, hands-down, my favorite book in the Haven Point series written by RaeAnne Thayne. So much drama and emotion. Your heart goes out to Dani and her girls. Reuben is so strong, kind and “solid”. He is just what Dani and her girls need. The story is so believable and the author is a master at creating authentic characters.
A heartwarming holiday story about a veterinarian with two daughters in a small Idaho town. This story has a similar theme to Sugar Pine Trails. The protagonist is settling into her new role as the town’s veterinarian and helping her two daughters acclimate to their new schools. She’s also hiding a dark past. I enjoy how the problems get resolved and relationships evolve, and most of all, the holiday atmosphere.
THANK GOODNESS FOR SECOND CHANCES. VERY HEART WARMING AND LOVING. ONE OF MY FAVORITE READS.
Great book
Fun read
Love this author.
First book I have read by this author! I will definitely read more.
RaeAnne Thayne is a favorite of mine. I always look forward to reading her books.
Adored the cover of this book. The main character, Veterinarian Dani has moved to a new small town in hope of a new beginning for her and her two girls. She has concerns that it is not working out.
Dani is reluctantly attracted to Ruben in this contemporary romance. He is a very kind character and embraces the family.
This is the first book I have read of this author’s and I enjoyed her style.
RaeAnne Thayne is one of my favorite authors. Her books always leave me all mushy and happy and ready to jump into another one of her stories. She knows how to capture me with her writing and never leaves me unsatisfied. What more could I ask for?
Season Of Wonder was wonderful. Superb writing, great characters, some laughs and of course, it wouldn’t be a RaeAnne Thayne book if I didn’t get a little misty eyed.
Dani Capelli and her two daughters have recently moved to Haven Point.
Ruben Morales is a deputy sheriff and Dani’s next door neighbor.
These two haven’t had too much contact with each other, but when Dani’s oldest daughter Silver gets herself into trouble, Ruben, Dani and the kids work together to make things right.
I absolutely loved and adored Ruben. I thought he was a great hero. I’ll admit, I had a hard time warming up to Dani, but by the end of the story she had grown on me. Mia of course was freaking adorable.
I recommend this story for all fans of RaeAnne Thayne and anyone else who just wants to read a nice Christmas story.
Season Of Wonder is Book #9 in the Haven Point series and can be read as a standalone.
4.5 Stars
*ARC provided by Netgalley & publisher*
This was a great Christmas story! Like all of RaeAnne’s books you will not be disappointed. I loved all the characters and had a very hard time putting down this book. Even though this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone.