After fifteen years as a widow, is it Nora’s turn for love?Nora Cooper has spent long years running her restaurant, raising her kids, and keeping a lock on her heart. Now she’s tired—especially with Christmas coming and trying to pull her son’s wedding together in four short weeks. She can’t help but wonder how empty her life will be with the kids moving on.When retired CEO Forrest Holt visits … on.
When retired CEO Forrest Holt visits McCormick’s Creek, Oregon, something about the small town charms him. He’s entranced with the way strangers are welcomed, with the way townspeople pull together, and especially with the way Nora Cooper lights up a forgotten feeling inside him. But he’s used to love ‘em and leave ‘em relationships, and she’s not that type.
As her son’s Christmas wedding draws ever nearer, Nora’s life becomes a flurry of activities after long days of work. Can she make time for Forrest, who is beginning to open her heart? And is he willing to risk himself and commit to more than a fling?
“Jen Peters writes sweet and satisfying romances with a dose of persevering through troubles and just the right chemistry between characters.”
The McCormick’s Creek Sweet Romance series (can be read in any order):
- Trusting His Heart (Cat & Justin)
- Finding Her Heart (Ree & Mitch)
- Safe in His Heart (Robin & Cliff)
- Stealing His Heart (Raine & Brandt)
- The Christmas Key to Her Heart (Nora & Forrest)
more
I received a complimentary copy of this book and I also purchased a copy.
This was a wonderful book. I adored to see a romance with a middle-aged couple. There are so many romance stories but only a few rare ones such as this. The plot of the story was an enchanting one. Nora Cooper has a lot on her plate. Her son is getting married in just a few weeks. She is a busy lady as she owns and operates her own restaurant. Christmas is also just a few weeks away and this stress baker is baking up plenty!!! Forrest Holt visits McCormick Creek with his son, Gary. Gary is friends with Nora’s son. When they meet at her restaurant, Forrest and Nora feel an attraction to each other. Nora has been a widow for 15 years. She has concentrated on her two children so now she is a little more stress trying to figure this attraction out. Bring out the cookie sheets!!!!
The story is just charming and hard to put down. It is a novella so it was accomplished in one sitting. Even though this was written in Nora’s POV only (and I prefer a dual POV), it still felt that it would be a story that I would re-read again. Possibly to get the middle-age romance in!
This is a sweet, clean romance that I would recommend to anyone. While this is a part of a series and two of the prior books are about her children, this really can be read as a stand-alone.
The Christmas Key to Her Heart is a delightful book. Thank yous to Ms. Peters for writing about a 60 something woman falling in love. I adored Nora and fell for Forrest also. In this wonderful story Nora, a widow for 15 years, is busy planning a wedding for her son and fiancee while running her restaurant and getting ready for Christmas. There are some bumps in this road to a second love. Both Nora and Forrest have some growing to do. The author handles everything in a most satisfying way. The book captured my interest immediately and I could not put it down.
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
After fifteen years as a widow, is it Nora’s turn for love?
Nora Cooper has spent long years running her restaurant, raising her kids, and keeping a lock on her heart. Now she’s tired—especially with Christmas coming and trying to pull her son’s wedding together in four short weeks. She can’t help but wonder how empty her life will be with the kids moving on.
When retired CEO Forrest Holt visits McCormick’s Creek, Oregon, something about the small town charms him. He’s entranced with the way strangers are welcomed, with the way townspeople pull together, and especially with the way Nora Cooper lights up a forgotten feeling inside him. But he’s used to love ‘em and leave ‘em relationships, and she’s not that type.
As her son’s Christmas wedding draws ever nearer, Nora’s life becomes a flurry of activities after long days of work. Can she make time for Forrest, who is beginning to open her heart? And is he willing to risk himself and commit to more than a fling?
MY TAKE
This was a fun visit back to McCormick’s Creek with a chance to see cameo appearances from characters from the other books. This time, it’s Justin Cooper’s mother’s turn. He was the love interest in the first book, Trusting His Heart. Well, his wedding is quickly approaching, and Nora’s got her hands full with the preparations. After all these years of being alone, she certainly doesn’t expect to be falling for someone.
This is a fast, sweet read. I love books that show romance for older couples too. *sigh*
I was so happy to hear that Nora was getting her story. And what better time of year than Christmas? This book brought out all the nostalgia of my childhood home. The smells of baking, after church get-togethers, and family.
I liked that love came to Nora even in her middle years. The emotions of a second chance, and the doubts that came made me empathize with Nora, and hope for the happy ending.
Forrest was the perfect gentleman for Nora. He had the means, and the heart to help her lay aside her worries, and begin to enjoy life again.
The bonus was that we get to see Justin and Cat’s wedding.
This was a perfectly satisfying novella, short enough to enjoy in one sitting.
Oh my, this has got happy tears and wonder-filled sighs.
The wedding couple is sweet and needing just enough encouragement to keep the fact that their wedding is too quickly approaching as the main conflict––Nora has taken much of the prep on her own.
Add to that the fact that Nora has confidence and trust issues…
It was a fun read with a couple of very hopeful HFNs at the end. 🙂
This was a nice 2nd chance at love story. I’ve enjoyed getting to know the people of this town & am happy Nora got her own story. This was a romance involving people a bit older and the writing respected that while still getting in a satisfying love story. I enjoy previous characters making appearances and it helps to really create the feel of a small town. The people of the town, romance and characters in the book all felt realistic. I think this could be a stand alone as all titles in this series or read out of order. The reader gets a fuller effect when having read the series.
This sweet, clean story was the first book I have read by this author, and I am glad I did. Now I want to read the previous stories in this series.
The novella centers around Nora Cooper and Forrest Holt. Nora is a widow, restaurant owner, and the Mom of two adult children. Her son is marrying and she’ll do anything to make the day special for him and his bride to be.
Forrest is a retired executive, visiting town with his son. When he meets Nora he’s enchanted.
The story shows us the ups and downs of a mature woman not sure if she can love again. A woman trying to help everyone , but when Forrest offers his help, she interprets it as manipulation.
All in all, a well written novella where the characters are well developed. Something few authors can manage in just a few pages.
It’s a story about hope, new beginnings and second chances.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.