“Readers won’t want to leave the heartwarming stories of Honeymoon Harbor and its characters’ second chances at life and love.”—Publishers Weekly“Snowfall on Lighthouse Lane is another deftly crafted gem of a romance novel by an author who is an impressively consistent master of the genre.”—Midwest Book ReviewLose yourself in the magic, charm and romance of Christmas in the Pacific Northwest as … and romance of Christmas in the Pacific Northwest as imagined in JoAnn Ross’s heartwarming Honeymoon Harbor series.
Growing up on the wrong side of the tracks, Jolene Wells is forever indebted to the mother who encouraged her to fly—all the way to sunny LA and a world away from Honeymoon Harbor. Although Jolene vowed never to look back, returning home isn’t even a question when her mom faces a cancer scare. Which means running into Aiden Mannion all over town, the first boy she ever loved—and lost—and whom she can barely look in the eye.
Aiden’s black-sheep reputation may have diminished when he joined the marines, but everything he’s endured since has left him haunted. Back in Honeymoon Harbor to heal, he’s talked into the interim role of police chief, and the irony isn’t lost on the locals, least of all Aiden. But seeing Jolene after all these years is the unexpected breath of fresh air he’s been missing. He’s never forgotten her through all his tours, but he’s not sure anymore that he’s the man she deserves.
Despite the secret they left between them all those years ago, snow is starting to fall on their picturesque little town, making anything seem possible…maybe even a second chance at first love.
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Second chance romances are hit and miss for me, but here Ross definitely has a winner. I loved how Aiden and Jolene get to know each other again and manage to find their way into a HEA. This is one of those feel good versions that work for me.
Ross’s main characters are complex and the supporting cast of family & friends are a delight. She delivers quirky world, full of love & support. But for those who are a little more of a … purist, I feel I should give a heads up about Aiden’s otherworldly friend. I found him to be a fantastic addition to the story, and something Aiden definitely needed, but a ghostly friend won’t be for everyone.
Small town romances are definitely high on my list of favorites and setting them during Christmas just makes them all the better. (Oh, and I personally don’t think it is ever the wrong time for a great Christmas story!) If you are an addict of those Hallmark-y holiday movies, you definitely have to get your hands on this one.
**Review given honestly and freely after receipt of a reader copy. This opinion is completely my own and was not influenced in any way.**
Awesome Awesome book
Snowfall on Lighthouse Lane is the latest release from JoAnn Ross’s Honeymoon Harbor series. I love a good second chance romance story, and Ms. Ross did an amazing job in Snowfall on Lighthouse Lane.
I adored seeing Jolene and Aiden reconnect even as they initially tried to avoid each other when they were both home for a wedding previously. I think part of what I liked best about them reconnecting was the fact they started back as friends first. As they hadn’t seen each other in years and never kept up with one another, it really worked for me that they slowly moved from friendship to more. Their relationship totally worked for me and was so very fun to watch it grow and become more.
However, my favorite part of the entire story was the relationship between Jolene and her mother, Gloria. I’m a huge fan of the show Gilmore Girls and I adored how much both women loved the show and really seemed to be so much like Lorelei and Rory. Their relationship gave me all the happy feels and was every bit as important to the story as the romance was to the story. I love when there is a secondary story that only adds to the main story of a book, and if felt like Jolene’s relationship with her mom was every bit as important and her romance with Aiden.
Snowfall on Lighthouse Lane was a really beautiful story. Both the romance and the strong relationship between mother and daughter were so very well done. I’ve read books by JoAnn Ross for years, yet had missed her last few releases. I have to say after reading her newest story; I have gone back and added all missed books to my to-be-read list. I highly recommend adding books by JoAnn Ross to your list of books to read if you enjoy reading emotional and uplifting stories.
Rating: 4 Stars (B)
Review copy provided by publisher
Returning to her hometown in Honeymoon Harbor for the Christmas season after some setbacks, a young woman faces a health scare of her mother and unforgotten sparks with the interim police chief, who has some ghosts of own having just lost his partner. This was an ok book, but I would have liked something with more depth and holiday charm.
Aiden and Jolene were sweethearts in high school but life took them in different directions. Him to the military and then to LA as a cop, and her to Hollywood. Ironic they ended up living near each other, but they don’t get a chance to reunite until they both return home to Honeymoon Harbor. The town’s juvenile delinquent from a founding family is now the police chief, and the girl from the wrong side of the tracks has made a name for herself as an Emmy-nominated makeup artist.
I’ve been a fan of this author for years, so I was excited to read an early copy of this book. There were a lot of things I liked about it, but it could have been a bit shorter without losing any substance. I found myself skipping over many passages that rehashed previously revealed information but didn’t add to the story or move the storyline forward. I loved the small-town setting and the vivid, sometimes quirky supporting characters. Aiden and Jolene were complex, fully developed and likeable so I had no trouble connecting with them and becoming invested in their story. I also really enjoyed the addition of Bodhi, and while a ghost character is a departure for Ms. Ross, he added a lot to the story and helped Aiden work through some things. I also liked the subplot of Jolene’s mother finding love again. And really, what’s better than love and romance at Christmas? Any fans of Ms. Ross will thoroughly enjoy this book.