Wren King is the one person in town everyone can rely on: need someone to watch your kids? She’s got it, you deserve a night off! Want a five dozen cookies for a bake sale? Call up Wren; she loves to bake. As the small town of Holly Ridge’s sweetheart, she’s always available to help, even if it leaves little time for herself along the way.
But this holiday season, it’s ramped up to the next level. As her first year as the head of the decorating committee, a title she inherited after her grandmother passed away, she’s determined to make it the best and brightest year Holly Ridge has ever seen. A bigger festival, decorations on every possible inch of town, and, of course, more lights. Who cares if she’s tired and worn down? She can sleep in January. Christmas only comes but once a year, after all.
Adam Porter moved to Holly Ridge in search of peace and quiet. As a well-known songwriter with writer’s block, he’s hoping a sleepy small town will be the perfect place to find his inspiration and write again. The problem? He hates Christmas. This year, he’s hoping to hide away in the small town, avoid Christmas completely, and write the next big hit by the New Year.
Unfortunately, when he tells his new next-door neighbor, Wren, that he has no plans to decorate his home and thus threatens to break a sixty-year tradition in the town, a battle of decor ensues. As the season progresses and Wren becomes increasingly determined, Adam remains steadfast in his conviction that nothing will make him enjoy the holidays.
Definitely not his sunshiny neighbor, who is convinced she has enough holiday cheer for the two of them.
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my review:
I received this ALC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
After meeting this author by chance at a book signing a year ago, I’ve had them on my TBR ever since. And now, finally, I’m reading her book for the first time. I was pleasantly surprised and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This was the perfect palette cleanser, considering I’ve been reading lots of dark/heavy hitting books recently and this grumpy x sunshine novel, all focused around the holidays, really boosted my spirits.
Wren is so selfless, a literal ray of sunshine, so sweet, kind, caring, and easy to understand. She did slightly annoy me with how available she made herself. I guess I know what Adam felt like. But I totally get where she was coming from. She doesn’t want to let anybody down and always wants to help out in any way she can, even if she doesn’t know how to do something or when she doesn’t have the energy. As for Adam, he is the most perfect grump and such a fun neighbor. He’s funny, and soft but only for Wren which made me fall in love with him. They have so many sweet moments that made my heart flutter and made me want to kick my feet. They bickered and bantered and everything in between and I loved every single second of it.
I had the pleasure of listening to this book on audio and Erin Mallon and Ryan West did such a wonderful job bringing them to life. I have listened to Erin Mallon, who voices Wren, many times and she has such a wonderful and the most perfect voice for a sweet heroine. As for Ryan West, who voices Adam, I do not believe I’ve listened to any audiobooks with him as a narrator and boy oh boy what a perfect voice he has. He voices Adam perfectly and really gets across his grumpiness. I truthfully don’t think anyone else could have done a better job.
This book, and especially the audiobook, really painted the most beautiful picture and movie in my head while reading. It was super sweet and is perfect for the holiday season! If you’re looking for a new author to try or something for the holiday season look no further for your next read.
about the author:
Morgan is a born and raised Jersey girl, living there with her two boys, toddler daughter, and mechanic husband. She’s addicted to iced espresso, barbecue chips, and Starburst jellybeans. She usually has headphones on, listening to some spicy audiobook or Taylor Swift. There is rarely an in between.
Writing has been her calling for as long as she can remember. There’s a framed ‘page one’ of a book she wrote at seven hanging in her childhood home to prove the point. Her entire life she’s crafted stories in her mind, begging to be released but it wasn’t until recently she finally gave them the reigns.
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