I have three new reviews up at Fresh Fiction:
Truth, Lies, and Second Dates, by MaryJanice Davidson. Lighthearted and enjoyable fluff with a little murder thrown in.
Cold Nose, Warm Heart, by Mara Wells. Dogs, a dog park, what else do you need? Oh yeah, the perfect couple! And if you like conflict, it’s here in spades.
You can find them on my reviewer page at Fresh Fiction
Stats for my copy: Mass market paperback, Mira, 2016.
How acquired: Book Mooch.
First line: Riley Erickson’s life was perfect.
(For Goodreads synopsis, scroll down.)
My thoughts: By the time I was about a third of the way into this novel, I already knew I needed to hunt down the author’s back list. This is my first time reading this author, and I truly enjoyed every minute. It’s three romances rolled into one book, but more than that it’s a wonderful story of friendship and family.
Each of the three protagonists are facing a crisis. Riley’s fiancé breaks up with her, three weeks before their wedding, to be with her friend and coworker Emily, with whom he’s been having an affair. Noel’s landlady announces that she’s selling the house Noel lives in, and which Noel desperately wants to buy but cannot quite afford. Riley’s sister, Jo, is about to give birth to her first child, and is bitter and resentful that her husband is deployed with the Navy and already planning to re-up, which will leave her raising their child alone.
The women are all believable, likable and distinctive characters, and all of the supporting characters are richly drawn, even the ones who only make two or three appearances. The POV narrative shifts seamlessly between the three women, and the only thing that could’ve made the book better would be getting the POV of Jo’s husband and the men who come into Riley and Noel’s lives.
THREE CHRISTMAS WISHES is an emotional and engaging story, and as satisfying as the ending was, I was still left wanting more.
Goodreads synopsis: Riley Erickson, her pregnant sister, Jo, and their friend Noel are all wishing for the same thing: the perfect man. Or at least men who are perfect for them. Riley's hasn't turned out to be too impressive, dumping her for her bridesmaid three weeks before the wedding. Jo's husband is being perfectly stubborn. And Noel has given up completely.
When the three women visit a shopping-mall
Santa on a lark, the guy is full of predictions. Riley's going to
meet her perfect man in a memorable way. Noel is going to get a good
man to go with that house she's trying desperately to buy. And Jo,
well, a new man is about to come into her life. What on earth does
that mean? She already has her hands full with the one she's got. As
for Riley and Noel, they have some holiday challenges to meet…
But
Christmas wishes can come true, as these three women are about to
discover. Because in spite of romantic setbacks and derailed dreams,
this truly is the most wonderful time of the year!
