An unlikely attraction brings comfort, joy and unforgettable romance this holiday season!Librarian Julia Winston is ready to ditch the quiet existence she’s been living. She’s made a list of new things to experience, but falling for Jamie Caine, her sexy military pilot neighbor, isn’t one of them. Julia’s looking to conquer life, not become the heartbreaker’s latest conquest. But when two young … conquest. But when two young brothers wind up in Julia’s care for the holidays, she’ll take any help she can get—even Jamie’s.
Happy to step in, Jamie reveals a side of himself that’s much harder to resist. Not only is he fantastic with kids, he provides the strength Julia needs to tackle her list. She knows their temporary family can’t last beyond the holidays, but the closer she gets to Jamie, the more she wonders if things could be this merry and bright forever…
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I don’t claim that there is such thing as a perfect story since we all filter the things we read through our own history and experience but I have to say, to me, Sugar Pine Trail is just about the perfect Christmas romance Novel and if there is only one holiday story you are going to read this year, I highly recommend this one. Seriously, it has it all, wrapped up in a heartfelt love story, smoothly embedded into the tale, there are mistletoe, snow, skiing, decorating, baking, gift wrapping, family mess, miracles, helping the needy and troubled, and a bundle of romance, falling in love, steamy kisses, and a puppy!
I loved how the story has a great balance of joyful and stressful family life, the bliss of a kiss and the agony of falling without guarantees. It had me all wrapped up in the warmth of the love and cherished moments smiling until a plot twist ripped my heart wide open and the tears were there.
Julia Winston is a librarian, preparing herself for the first Christmas alone after her parents have passed away. She is a loyal, kind-hearted, steadfast, trustworthy, introvert who feels like she is letting the life pass her by. Be careful what you wish for because next thing you know, Julia is the temporary foster mom for two young brothers, landlady for her major crush, and experiencing life to the fullest maybe for the first time in her life.
Jamie Caine is known as the charismatic serial-dater who can charm any woman to do as he wishes. But under all the jokes and flirting there is a man with a good heart, who loves kids, is great with them, doesn’t mind helping Julia with the boys, takes care of them and opens his heart to this little untraditional family unit.
Both Julia and Jamie are lovable characters who show remarkable growth, or development, as the story progress. With a fun list of goals Julia wrote down in a book club, they experience life together, and with each new thing accomplished they learn new things about themselves and about each other.
I loved the adorable interactions between Julia and Jamie, there was something so tender, sweet, and steamy about them at the same time. The boys won my heart over from the first moment and their destiny both broke my heart and then mended it together again. The way those four formed a unit, held together and supported each other was like they all needed each other but for very different reasons.
A touching and delightful tale that captivated my complete attention while hanging on to each word, reading it until early morning hours because I could not put it down. The perfect Christmas romance story in my opinion
~ Five Spoons!
Great work by RaeAnne Thayne. The characters are strong and needy. Both need romance and each other. Wonder tale about giving of oneself.
First, I loved Sugar Pine Trail. I always enjoy a visit to Haven Point and every time I read a new one by RaeAnne Thayne, it becomes my favorite. Sugar Pine Trail is no different. As with all the other Haven Point books, this is a standalone novel but we get to visit with past characters – and some of them ARE characters! – and I always love reading about them, too. This time we get to read Julia Winston’s and Jamie Caine’s story. Both of them have backstories, of course, but they have much to work through, by themselves and of course, together. It’s their journeys that make this book so special. Both Julia and Jamie are wonderful characters and I found myself rooting for them individually and as a couple. And the two young boys that stay with Julia for the holidays? OMG, they will melt your heart! Julia is so vulnerable, typically quiet and shy. Jamie, for all his “sexy” bravado and man-about-town attitude, is just as vulnerable, in his own way. Julia’s list is hilarious, as is Jamie helping her fulfill everything on it, even if she doesn’t know he’s seen it. I really enjoyed this story and it will warm your heart, make you sniffle, and smile, all the way through. Highly recommend!
Wonderful story. Not how I anticipated it would end but beautifully written. I enjoy when a book catches me off guard. The story gave insight into the child welfare system and PTSD. Truly enjoy this series.
I loved this sweet story, another emotional page-turner in this wonderful series. I particularly connected with the heroine, since she’s a librarian and I’m a bookworm and have dreamed of being a librarian most of my life. It’s impossible not to fall for the hero, especially when he interacts with the little kids and when he makes all of Julia’s wishes come true. He’s a real Prince Charming.
Highly recommended to those who love sweet and Christmassy romances all year long.
A heartwarming holiday story about a librarian who lives in a Victorian house in Idaho with her three cats. She agrees to rent a room to a handsome pilot while the construction on his condo is being finished. It’s just before Thanksgiving and the librarian is about to close the library when she notices two young boys. She discovers they’ve been staying in their home alone and arranges to care for them. With just enough romance and just enough Christmas, I was simply charmed by the characters, the plot, and the setting in this sweet holiday story.
Great characters. Good Christmas read.
Loved this book!
I enjoyed it but then it seemed to go on a little too long. But I would definitely recommend it.
Love her books.
love all of her books
Of your a romantic at heart you’ll love this book. Good read
Love this author. Love the characters
This one kept me reading because I just couldn’t figure out how they were going to make it a happy ending. It was great and now I’m ready for the next book.
Absolutely fabulous story. This story had me laughing & crying. I would recommend this book.
Jamie Caine is waiting for his condo to finally be finished being built but he cannot extend his present lease another time. His sister recommends he rent out the top apartment in her close friend’s Julia Winston’s house. Though Jamie has met Julia before he does not remember her. Slowly Jamie starts remembering the quiet librarian and of course falling in love with her. When Julia suspects something is going on with two boys who have been spending a lot of time in the library she ends of rescuing them. Julia gains care of the boys as a temporary emergency foster parent only to find herself needing the help of Jamie. Jamie a member of the large Caine family happily steps up to the plate and the four become a temporary family. A nice message bringing the meaning of caring for others to the forefront while enjoying a special holiday romance.
Sugar Pine Trail by RaeAnne Thayne will have you experiencing all your emotions – sorrow, joy, understanding, longing, despair, love, sadness, extreme happiness, hopefulness – and on the last page leave you with great anticipation to read another of her books.
You have a middle age unmarried woman that has many complex levels that are fun to explore and grow with, Then there is the extremely good looking playboy that seems to have it all – all but true love to share life with. You can’t help but fall in love with two unfortunate, loveable little boys in a very bad situation and how they are the catalyst to make the world a better place for those around them.
Where else can you find such a mix match of characters? Can they find peace and hope in each other? You will have to read the book to find out but I will tell you that you will NOT be disappointed. I highly recommend Sugar Pine Trial!
What a great way to get ready for the holiday season and holiday stories. This book had me hooked from the beginning. It had my emotions running the gamut from laughing to crying. I love all RaeAnne Thayne’s books, but I really think this one is one of her best. It made you feel that miracles do happen at Christmas. At least it did for Julia and Jamie and two adorable little boys. Another thing I really enjoyed was the bringing together of Hope’s Crossing and Haven Point through the Caines.
Anyone would enjoy this story. You don’t have to have read the earlier ones, but I bet you’d go back later and read them. I’m ready for your next one RaeAnne.