From a USA Today bestselling author comes a heartwarming holiday romance between the a small-town florist and the handsome chief of police. Christmas is always bustling for Halona Locklear’s flower shop, but this year, she’s determined to take some time out to give her young son an extra special holiday. So she should be thrilled when hunky police chief Alex Baker wants to be their … thrilled when hunky police chief Alex Baker wants to be their not-so-secret Santa. But Halona can’t get too close to Alex. He knows a truth she needs to keep hidden…for her boy’s sake.
Though Alex always had a thing for Halona, he never dared to pursue his best friend’s little sister. But he can’t shake the feeling that the gorgeous single mom and her little boy could use some holiday cheer, even if Halona refuses to let down her guard. But when ghosts of Christmas past threaten, Alex and Halona must decide what matters more: protecting their secrets or opening their wary hearts to new possibilities.
Includes the bonus novel Then There Was You by Miranda Liasson!
Angel Falls is the perfect small town for falling in love. But that’s the last thing on Dr. Sara Langdon’s mind as she returns home. But when her first patient turns out to be her first-crush-turned-nemesis Colton Walker, Sara starts wondering if home really is where the heart
Includes the bonus novel Then There Was You by Miranda Liasson!
Angel Falls is the perfect small town for falling in love. But that’s the last thing on Dr. Sara Langdon’s mind as she returns home. But when her first patient turns out to be her first-crush-turned-nemesis Colton Walker, Sara starts wondering if home really is where the heart is….
Includes the bonus novel Then There Was You by Miranda Liasson!
Angel Falls is the perfect small town for falling in love. But that’s the last thing on Dr. Sara Langdon’s mind as she returns home. But when her first patient turns out to be her first-crush-turned-nemesis Colton Walker, Sara starts wondering if home really is where the heart is….
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Wonderful Holiday romance that gets you in the Holliday spirit. The last few years were very difficult for Helona and her son Theo. Finally, Alex makes his move on Helona but sadly there are lots of how and downs. Alex has been investigating his father’s murder for years with no results but there’s so much going on around him. I received a complementary copy of this book via Net Galley and chose to write a review. There is also a bonus story of: Then There Was You by Miranda Liasson. This is another holiday story with Sara and Colton as the main characters as well as colorful secondary characters. Both authors did an excellent job of entertaining the reader.
Sweetwater Springs #3, Holona and Alex have been dancing around their attraction for years, since they were both young, but because Alex was best friends with her brother he never wanted to cross that line. Holona ended up getting married and having a son, her husband was a big football star who died in a skiing accident shortly after divorcing her. Holona loved her husband but their was a side of him she never wanted anyone to know about unfortunately Alex was witness to that once but Alex still only knows half the story.
Alex thinks that Holona doesn’t want anything to do with him because that one time he arrested her husband, but fate keeps putting them together and finally when Alex gets picked to be her son’s mentor
they finally give in to the attraction. Holona’s son, Theo, stopped talking after his father died. Holona always doing what she thinks is best for her son she enters him the new mentor program hoping he can find a good male role model.
Alex is tormented by the unsolved murder of his father. Ever year he reopens the case and questions the witness again and tries to find who killed his father. This year is different this year he was given a clue, and now he’s worried that going after this person might put Holona and Theo in jeopardy.
Overall, this was a really great read. It’s just over 300 pages and it goes by so quickly. The cuteness factor is really high with both Theo and Officer Chew the foster puppy Alex takes in. The romantic build up between Alex and Holona doesn’t take long and their chemistry is great. Even as book three this works as a stand alone but all three books and the novella are wonderful reads.
Annie Rains writes a heartwarming story for police chief Alex Baker and single mom Halona Locklear. Snowfall on Cedar Trial is a captivating friends to lovers romance which takes place during the holiday season.
Alex Baker has been attracted to his best friend’s sister for ages. He makes excuses to run into her at the local coffee spot or at her florist shop. Alex has been preoccupied with solving his father’s murder—it haunts him during this time of the year. He’s a complex character-he’s kind to his friends, looks in on the elderly, and takes time to visit friends in the hospital. I wondered why he couldn’t take a leap of faith and ask Halona out. Alex takes his job seriously and does what he thinks is right. He sees situations in black and white—no grey—and this plays a huge part of the storyline.
Halona Locklear is a single mom who works full time at her florist shop. Ms. Rains was spot on describing Halona’s work- home life balance and as a full time working mom-I could relate to her. Halona’s concern for her son Theo set the tone for the novel. Her complicated relationship with her ex-husband plus her son’s inability to communicate verbally since his death added to the depth of the storyline.
Alex joins the Mentor Match community service project to spiff up his image and is thrilled to have been paired with Halona’s son Theo. I liked that Alex and Theo got along so well; Alex truly enjoyed their time together, Theo had a friend and a role model and Alex and Halona were able to spend time together.
Annie Rains blends friendships, family and work issues, a strong sense of community values and adds a bit of mystery in this novel. I liked that Alex and Halona shared a past and they had a HUGE misunderstanding to work through. This plot choice intrigued me; I loved reading how the characters reacted to the challenges they faced during their journey. Loved that the relationship took time to grow—it was perfectly paced.
I adored catching up with Kaitlyn, Mitch, Josie, and Tuck and meeting Brenna, Grandmother Baker and the adorable Mr. Chew. I am enjoying this series so much-each book has great characters, relatable situations and a small town values. The conclusion is perfect for this couple—hard won but, very rewarding!
Are you looking for an amazing friends to lovers Christmas romance? Snowfall on Cedar Trail has all the feels—it’s a captivating, feel good novel that will definitely get you in the holiday spirit! Grab a mug of hot chocolate, your favorite corgi to snuggle with and settle in for a fabulous read!
Heartwarming holiday goodness filled with engaging charters, witty banter, unexpected passion, dark secrets and dangers pasts that haunts them. Really enjoyed this journey from beginning to end.
My very first holiday book of the season has definitely put me in the mood for Christmas!!
Halona and Alex’s story is a little more angsty than I like my holiday books to be BUT this one had me so hopeful that the Christmas season would bring a HEA to these two amazing characters. I love that, even though these two have been in each other’s lives since they were kids, they still had so much to learn about each other. The building of their relationship, the focus on Theo, and the compassion they have for the people of their town were some of my favorite things about this novella.
Every visit to Sweetwater Springs is wonderful and this time is no different!!
This is a wonderful holiday romance. Snowfall on Cedar Trail is a warm and inviting read. There are so many endearing characters in this small town romance. The seamless storyline and the vivid storytelling makes you fell like you are there and part of the story.There are many endearing characters that I would love to read more about. I would definitely recommend this wonderful book.
Snowfall on Cedar Trail is a magical story that will have you rooting for these characters as if they were your family. Author Annie Rains has the unique ability to make her stories come alive before your eyes. I absolutely loved Helona, Theo and Alex’s story.
If you love small town romance stories with relatable and realistic characters who never give up on the ones they love then I know you will enjoy this 5 star read as well!
Thank you to Author Annie Rains for allowing me the opportunity to provide my honest opinion.
Book 3 in this amazing series left me on the edge of me seat! I absoultley loved everything about tis book! Alex is the towns chief of police and has known Halona her whole life as her brothers best friend. She has a young son Theo who has stopped speaking not long after loosing his father. After a mentor program brings Alex and Theo together it also reminds Alex and Halona there is a long burning spark growing between them they can no longer deny. Alex is still hunting for his fathers killer after many years and when he finds a break in the case that may harm Halona and Theo he pushes her away right as they are to celebrate their first Christmas together. This sweetwater story had a bit more mystery in it and I couldnt put it down!! I absoultley LOVED these characters and the very special christmas ending that leaves you reminded of what really matters!!!!! Loved this book so much I CANT wait for the next book!!!
What a wonderful story full of romance, hope, and love. The story had just the right amount of mystery, intrigue, suspense, family and love woven together to tell a story to warm your heart with winter and Christmas cheer, like a cup of hot chocolate and fudge.
I really enjoyed the characters letting go of the secrets in their pasts that weighed them down and starting over burden free with hope for the holidays and the days to come. I liked that this story focused on Halona Locklear and her son, Trevor who has selective mutism since his father died. I thought the Mentor program was such a great idea for him.
I also admired Halona’s strength in being a single mom, running her flower shop and trying to do the best she could with the cards she had been dealt. It was nice to see Chief Alex Baker try to break down the walls around her heart and to open his heart to love too.
There was an old mystery surrounding the death of Alex’s dad that added to the story and kept me quickly turning the pages. I found this book very touching to my heart as I read it. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
Snowfall on Cedar Trail by Annie Rains is book #3 in the Sweetwater Springs Series. Even though this is the third book in the series it can very well be read as a standalone. I wish I had read the first two books even though reading this I did not get confused. This is the first book I have read by Annie and it definitely will not be the last. I am buying the first two books in the series Christmas on Mistletoe Lane and Springtime at Hope Cottage. This is a very emotional story and kept me turning the pages well into the night. I recommend this book especially if you love small-town romances.
Favorite Quotes:
Why couldn’t he have a thing for someone uncomplicated like Emma? The only thing the beautiful café owner stirred for him, however, was his coffee.
I like to tell people I go so often because I’m secretly investigating her. Her coffee is too addictive to be legal.
Do you know Greta Merchant? Pushing eighty and walks with a cane even though she’s more physically fit than most twentysomethings… Well, she has a huge crush on Chief Baker… So a couple of months ago, Greta decided to go shoplifting… Don’t worry—Sophie was in on it. Alex had happened to come into the boutique looking for a gift for his grandmother’s birthday, and Greta and Sophie exchanged some conspiratorial whispers. Sophie knew Greta was going to be stuffing costume jewelry in her pockets. Then Sophie called Greta out on it loud enough for Alex to overhear… Being the dutiful chief of police Alex is, he headed over and spoke to Greta. He asked her to empty her pockets but she refused. She demanded that he frisk her instead. From the way Greta tells the story, it was the most action she’s had in decades.
My Review:
I have enjoyed all three books of Anne Rain’s Sweetwater Springs series, with a gentle and sweet small-town theme. Each of the books has been engaging, easy to follow, and entertaining; and while the characters carryover and the stories interconnect, each one has been strong enough to stand alone. Snowfall On Cedar Trail has a holiday-themed motif that features the blossoming romance during a tricky time between the stalwart and handsome Chief of Police, Alex, and his decades-long secret crush, Halona, the town florist and younger sister of his best friend. Their tale was sweetly written with a bit of peril, amusing humor, and unusual challenges to overcome.
here’s just something so appealing about a rugged, protective, small town police chief who doesn’t understand his hotness! Alex Baker has had quite the crush on single mom and flower shop owner Halona Locklear, going back to way before he married her now late ex-husband. He’s never acted on it until now.
Halona is drawn to Alex, too, but between her shop and her sweet little boy, Theo, she has a lot to handle. And while Alex knows something that Halona’s family and other friends do not about her former marriage, he doesn’t have the whole story.
I’ve been waiting for Alex and Halona’s story since book one of the Sweetwater Springs series. Don’t worry if you’re just jumping in now, this book can be read as a stand-alone. But this adorable duo has been giving off sparks even as secondary characters in other’s stories.
Their own relationship is given a push by Theo and Alex’s painting in a mentoring program. Theo, who has selective mutism, already has a connection to Alex, which is made stronger when they are paired up…and helps push along the romance between his mom and “Chief Frisky”!
Halona is such a strong, proud woman and a loving, attentive mom to Theo, that’s it’s easy to root for her. But it’s her vulnerability that tugs at your heart. Alex is my favorite kind of alpha male…protective without being bossy, loves kids and animals, a little bit gruff and a whole lot loveable. While Christmas holds unpleasant memories for them both, this year they’re both getting something the deserve…love!
Annie Rains has written a wonderful, emotional story, full of hope forgiveness and healing. Sweetwater Springs and it’s citizens come alive on every page and worm their way into the reader’s hearts and minds.
This third book in the series, is truly a stand alone. I did not read the previous books and had no problems following the plot.
The story of Halona and Alex is complex and very realistic.
Halona, a widow with a young boy, Theo, whose father’s death has caused mutism, owns the town’s flower shop.
Alex, the town’s police chief, is attracted to her, but he is also the man who arrested her husband prior to his death. A fact that Halona resents since the actions of her ex were not what they really seemed.
A mentoring program brings Halona, Theo, and Alex together. Will the past be forgiven, and create a new unit, or will it keep them apart?
Add to that the mystery of who killed Alex’s father, the previous police chief, and you have a story filled with mystery, forgiveness, hope, realizing that life is not black and white , but rather shades of gray, and the possibility of new beginnings.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and the publisher. The opinions expressed are solely my own.