Holiday Wishes
Author: Jill Shalvis
Reviewer: Jen
Rating: B+
What I’m Talking About:
At first, B&B owner Lotti Harford tries to pretend she doesn’t remember her high school sweetheart Sean O’Riley. Aware of the fact she couldn’t keep up the pretense, the pair strike up an easy truce, leading to a renewal of their childhood friendship. Sean, already realizing he’s looking for a meaningful relationship in his life, regrets the way he left things with Lotti. Lotti, burned by Sean’s actions from youth, is scared to open her heart.
Holiday Wishes is a wonderful standalone story centering on Sean O’Riley, brother of Finn, the series’ first book hero. The story’s setting is Finn and Pru’s wedding, which, as a regular of the Heartbreaker Bay series, I love. I so enjoy when a novella takes us back to previous couples so we can see how they are doing. Stuck at a small B&B because of the weather, the gang makes the most of their time, and even puts on a memorable wedding ceremony.
The time of the romance and story is compressed, but Ms. Shalvis develops a solid shared history that rings true, and the pair reignites their still smoldering flames. It’s sweet and sexy all rolled into a fun novella. I appreciate the apprehension of Lotti, and like that the author ends with an HFN rather than HEA because of the time factor. It’s a quick, easy read, made more enjoyable because of the connections with Finn, Pru, and the entire Heartbreaker Bay gang.
My Rating: B+ Liked It A Lot
About the Book:
When Sean O’Riley shows up at the Hartford Bed & Breakfast for his older brother’s bachelor weekend, he’s just hoping to make it through the weekend. What he’s not expecting is to come face to face with the woman he lost his virginity to a decade ago—a woman he’s never really forgotten.
The last time Lotti Hartford saw Sean, she told him she loved him while he said nothing. Now, ten years later, she’s just looking for a good time. For once, she wants to be the wild and free one, and Sean – the good time guy – is the perfect candidate.
But as the weekend continues, Sean realizes that after a lifetime of being the hook-up king, he’s ready to find happily-ever-after, and he wants it with Lotti. But will she open her heart to him again? As Christmas sweeps through the little B&B, he can only hope love and magic are in the air.
Release Date: November 7, 2017
Publisher: Avon Impulse
Series: Heartbreaker Bay #4.5
Genre: Contemporary Romance, novella
Format(s): e-book, audiobook, paperback (128 pages)
Book Source: Publisher/Edelweiss
Purchase Info:
Amazon
Reviews in the Series:
Sweet Little Lies by Jill Shalvis (Heartbreaker Bay #1)
The Trouble with Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis (Heartbreaker Bay #2)
One Snowy Night by Jill Shalvis (Heartbreaker Bay #2.5)
Accidentally on Purpose by Jill Shalvis (Heartbreaker Bay #3)
Chasing Christmas Eve by Jill Shalvis (Heartbreaker Bay #4)