I received this book for free from the TLC Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Series: Harmony Harbor #4
Published by Forever on October 31, 2017
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Family, Romance
Pages: 368
Format: eBook
Source: TLC Book Tours
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"Heartfelt and delightful!" -RaeAnne Thayne, New York Times bestselling author
Romance writer Julia Landon knows how to write a happily-ever-after. Creating one for herself is a whole different story. But after a surprising--and surprisingly passionate--kiss under the mistletoe at Harmony Harbor's holiday party last year, Julia thought she might have finally found her very own chance at true love. Until she learns her Mr. Tall, Dark, and Broodingly Handsome has sworn off relationships. Well, if she can't have him in real life, Julia knows just how to get the next best thing....
Aidan's only priority is to be the best single dad ever. And this year, he plans to make the holidays magical for his little girl, Ella Rose. But visions of stolen kisses under the mistletoe keep dancing in his head, and when he finds out Julia has written him into her latest novel, he can't help imagining the possibilities of a future together. Little does he know, though, Julia has been keeping a secret that threatens all their dreams. Luckily, 'tis the season for a little Christmas magic.
Now that the Christmas season is upon us, why not sit back and relax with some a few great books to get you in the holiday spirit? Debbie Mason’s Sugarplum Way definitely had me mentally gearing up for the upcoming holidays, and even looking forward to some snow whenever it chooses to hit our area. This is book four in the Harmony Harbor series, but there is plenty of backstory sprinkled throughout so I had no problems figuring out who everyone was and the main points of what had happened in previous books–all while maintaining several mysteries and without bogging down the book along the way.
Julia Landon is a book store owner by day and a romance novelist during all of the other times, and this sweet, caring, loving woman looks out for those around her in town that are both friends and less fortunate. She’s taken up the role of a glorified fairy godmother and matchmaker for the Gallagher family, and she’s been pretty successful too. The only Gallagher man that seems to resist her unassuming and innocent charms is Aiden, a former DEA agent who’s moved back to Harmony Harbor after his divorce to seemingly brood, be a bit angry all the time, and take good care of his daughter who still lives in the expensive Boston house that he’s still paying for with his ex-wife who refuses to return to her job as a psychiatrist. But the more time that Aiden spends with good-natured yet plotting Julia, the surer he’s becoming that she’s hiding a dark secret–and he can’t help but be drawn to her even though he doesn’t want to become involved with anyone at the moment.
I really enjoyed the characters that Debbie Mason has created in this series, and there’s a wide variety that reside in Harmony Harbor. There’s a meddling, match-making ghost who recorded people’s secrets in a book before she died, and people are practically dying to get their hands on it. The Gallagher family is quite big and varied, from the grandmother and her friend fighting over the same man, down to the cute and realistic grandchildren that a milling about and attending Julia’s reading hours at the bookstore. It seems like everyone has their secrets, and only a few were revealed from that book in Sugarplum Way. A few of the more trouble-causing characters are a bit one-dimensional, but they serve their purpose. It would nice to see them fleshed out more in future books.
I give Sugarplum Way a five out of five. Aiden and Julia’s romance was a slow build of butting heads and conflict, but it was full of laughter as well. The small town of Harmony Harbor was quaint and picturesque, and it really sprang to life under the glow of Christmas lights twinkling off a dusting of snow. Family conflicts, secrets, lies, and romance all came into play here–and Debbie Mason’s deft writing kept me entertained and engaged throughout. I really enjoyed all of the stories within, as well as the sprinklings of humor and lightness. While this can be read as a standalone as I did, full enjoyment would be had by starting at book one. Once I finished reading Sugarplum Way, I really want to know what’s happened between all of these characters in the first three books. I need to search out the audiobooks and give those a try!
Find SUGARPLUM WAY
Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
About Debbie Mason
Debbie Mason is the USA Today bestselling author of the Christmas, Colorado and Harmony Harbor series. Her books have been praised for their “likable characters, clever dialogue and juicy plots” (RT Book Reviews). When she isn’t writing or reading, Debbie enjoys spending time with her very own real-life hero, three wonderful children, two adorable grandbabies, and a yappy Yorkie named Bella in Ontario, Canada.
Connect with Debbie Mason
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Giveaway
Enter the widget below for your chance to win the Debbie Mason + TLC Book Tours Sugarplum Way Gift Pack, which includes:
- LIFE Magazines’s special BEAUTY AND THE BEAST edition
- BEAUTY AND THE BEAST light and sound Hallmark ornament
- LIVE LIKE SANTA’S NOT WATCHING mug
- signed ARC of SUGARPLUM WAY
- A picture frame
- …all packaged in a WHAT’S NEXT box.
Debbie Mason’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS for SUGARPLUM WAY:
Monday, October 23rd: Romancing the Readers
Tuesday, October 24th: Books and Bindings
Thursday, October 26th: Cheryl’s Book Nook
Friday, October 27th: The Romance Dish
Monday, October 30th: Ms. Nose in a Book
Wednesday, November 1st: Broken Teepee – excerpt
Thursday, November 2nd: Romantic Reads and Such
Monday, November 6th: Books a la Mode – excerpt
Tuesday, November 7th: Katy’s Library blog and Instagram
Wednesday, November 8th: From the TBR Pile
Thursday, November 9th: Books and Spoons – excerpt
Friday, November 10th: View from the Birdhouse
Friday, November 10th: Laura’s Reviews
Monday, November 13th: Moonlight Rendezvous
Tuesday, November 14th: Bewitched Bookworms
Wednesday, November 15th: Suzy Approved
Thursday, November 16th: Thoughts on This ‘n That
Friday, November 17th: Novel Gossip
Monday, November 20th: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
Tuesday, November 21st: OMG Reads
Wednesday, November 22nd: Jathan & Heather
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This sounds like a great way to get ready for the upcoming Christmas season!
Thanks for being a part of the tour.
Heather J @ TLC Book Tours recently posted..Winter Holiday Traditions (+ reads!) from Harlequin – December 2017
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