St. Martin's Griffin Archives

This might just be the coziest book I’ve ever read! The setting is a Cape Cod Bed and Breakfast during Christmas, and a vibrant cast of characters makes this one of the most wholesome holiday books possible.

The Christmas Inn Pamela Kelley Book Cover

After losing her job in New York City, Reily moves back home for a few weeks to help her mother run their B&B for the Christmas rush after her mother breaks her leg. The place has been in a steady decline for the past several years, but with Reily’s help as a content marketer, they work to make this holiday season special. Among those staying at the inn this year is Reily’s widowed high-school sweetheart and his son Luke, and Franny, an older woman who recently lost her sister, who is following a chain of nostalgic letters left to her.

What a beautiful little story we have here! I’ve never read anything by Pamela Kelley before, and I have to say, I’m adding her whole backlist to my TBR! This is the kind of story you can sink into – it transports you into another world and wraps you up in layers of feel-good story. There is romance, yes (we’ll get to that in a second), but what really makes this book shine is the overwhelming feeling of community – you could even call it Christmas spirit, I suppose. Beth and her little family are so kind-hearted and everyone is so open and willing to be present in any room they’re in. It just warms the soul on a level I don’t remember experiencing in another book in quite the same way.

We have two little romance stories going on here. My favorite was mama Beth! She’s been divorced a long time and has felt very discouraged in the dating scene ‘these days’ and has all but completely thrown in the towel, but when the hired help (Shawn) shows up to fix the damage in a few of the rooms at the inn, he’s handsome and kind and capable (and also divorced) – and brings his mama to the holiday festival!

Reily has been dating a big-shot lawyer named Jack in The City. He works long hours because he enjoys his job and has lots of ambition to one day make partner. They have both understood that it will be several more years, at least, of the same pace, before he will have more time to spend on anything else, including her. When she tells someone they’ve been together two years and they respond with an understandable ‘it must be serious’, Reily is surprised, which is…very telling. Spending more time in her hometown, and around the folks around the inn makes her realize how lonely her life in the city has become, and wonder if that kind of life is still the right choice for her. It begins to factor into her job search, as well. What does she really want her life to look like?

Overall, this felt like an immersive Hallmark movie of the best variety. I can see myself craving to read The Christmas Inn again in the future. I absolutely recommend it for anyone wanting to lean into the cozy vibes that come with the fall and winter seasons. There are also plenty of book recommendations in the book (how cool!). So glad I was chosen as an arc listener for the audio version of this title. Thank you to netgalley and the Macmillan Audio for providing the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Details

Title:: The Christmas Inn
Author:: Pamela Kelley
Genre:: Women’s Fiction
Publisher:: St. Martin’s Griffin
Length:: 320 pages
Audio Length:: 10h 48m
Audiobook Narrator:: Stephanie Németh-Parker
Audiobook Publisher:: Macmillan Audio
Published:: September 24, 2024
The Litertarian Rating:: #-Stars
Spice Rating:: 0

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Brace yourselves for another lovely summer romance novel. Savor It, by Tarah Dewitt is a new release for summer 2024 and I think it’s a crowd pleaser. If you love cozy small town achingly sweet romances, look no further.

Finch is a gourmet chef in New York City who’s lost his edge. After an incident in the city, his former boss whisks him off to a small-time project she’s fielding on the Oregon coast while he gets his poop in a group and is ready to come back to the big time. Bringing with him the angsty niece he’s the guardian for, he’s looking to recover his mojo and get the heck out of dodge. He’s from a small town, and another one is the last place he wants to be. But then his cute hobby-farm tending new neighbor shows up in a moment of need in a…unique cow print robe looking for her three-legged cat (Legoless) and plenty of sage advice, and suddenly his summer might not be the absolute misery he expected.

Sage (the homegirl neighbor) is still trying to find herself after a very public breakup with her high school sweetheart (everything is very public in a town as small as Spunes Oregan). Competing and winning the local summer competition will be the way she can prove to herself (and everyone else) that she is capable of anything. She just needs to find a partner for the rowing competition. When the new renters show up next door, everything clicks into place, and she might get more out of this than just a rowing partner. The thing is…he’s not sticking around. What if the feelings threatening to spark start to get out of hand? This small town is everything to Sage. She has roots here that run deep. So a future together is impossible — right?

This book felt like it could be the beginning of a successful standalone romance series (but I don’t think it is?). Sage has three older brothers, and the little town of Spunes is full of quirky characters that bring vibrant color to the world. I loved Sage’s dynamic with her brothers, and honestly, I hope she writes stories for them, too. I want to know more about the relationship of Sage’s oldest brother and his ex-wife. So much to work with there! Tarah, are you listening? 🙂

If you enjoy small town vibes, this book has them in spades. Sage’s hobby farm makes you want to shluff off onto your own acerage and adpot a giant dog, several geese, and a clydesdale. As a gardener, Sage’s garden sounds like a dream. The setting wraps around you like a hug.

Sage and Finch are good together. She’s a teacher and an aunt and she’s used to dealing with kids Finch’s niece’s age. He loves to use her ingredients as inspiration for new recipes. They have a deeper connection than just the attraction. Sometimes romance novels don’t have a hell of a lot of actual romance, but that’s not the case here. These characters fit into each other’s lives, and I loved watching them fall. It’s the kind of book that leaves you with a sweet aftertaste, you know?

I loved that the ending wasn’t the typical cliche, but to avoid spoilers, that’s all I’ll say. Yes, don’t worry, they get their HEA 😉

Spice Level: Tasteful.

Details

Title:: Savor It
Author:: Tarah Dewitt
Genre:: Contemporary Romance
Publisher:: St. Martin’s Griffin
Length:: 336 pages
Audio Length:: 9h 5m
Audiobook Narrator:: Karissa Vacker & Zachary Webber
Audiobook Publisher:: Macmillan Audio
Published:: May 21st, 2024
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars