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Mistletoe
Cottage
Harmony Harbor #1
Harmony Harbor #1
By: Debbie Mason
Releasing
October 25, 2016
Forever
Forever
In Mistletoe Cottage (Harmony Harbor #1) by Debbie Mason, Harmony Harbor is not a place Sophie DiRossi ever saw herself returning to. But after an accidental fire destroys her apartment leaving her and her daughter homeless, she feels she doesn't have any other choice but flee to her hometown. However, she has a problem. She's been hiding a secret from everyone including her daughter, and if anyone learns the truth she has a lot to lose including Liam Gallagher, the one man she's ever loved.
Ms. Mason has become one of my must-buy authors, and this first book of her Harmony Harbor series opened this series brilliantly the way it introduced readers to a lot of characters that have some serious history -- some good, some bad. Right from the beginning, this story had me hooked due to the fact that it encompasses both the brothers best friend and second chance romance tropes. Moreover, I liked how this story began with the way the hero and heroine meet again after so many years and the heroine's reaction towards Liam. What is she trying to hide? Why is she worried about Liam spending time with her daughter?
The dialogue was well-written, and a perfect combination of intense and teasing banter. The intense due to the main characters back stories, what happens to Liam's great-grandma, the incidents that occur because someone doesn't want Sophie to succeed in her new job, and the plot twist that threatens to tear this couple apart. Why did one of them decide to keep such a big secret? While the teasing banter is full of fun, revolving around the will-they-or-won't-they pursue their relationship.
Both the main and secondary characters were very entertaining. The Gallagher family have been through a lot having suffered so much loss, and deserve some happiness for a change. And so, the one question I kept thinking was: are Liam's brothers going to find their own happy ever after? I hope so. But what I liked most was the moment where Liam stands up to his brother's ex-wife. His words definitely prove he's willing to fight for Sophie.
As for Sophie, she's strong, brave and I liked how determined she was to make a new life for her and her daughter. It's not easy, and there are several ups and downs. Such as snobbish Gallaghers and Liam brother's ex-wive that can't help but stick their nose in her business and cause trouble, her grandmother's mission to make sure she gets her man (just not the right man), and the trouble she's facing because some believe she's not a fit mom because of the incident that happened with their apartment. Luckily, she's persistent and I liked that she didn't give up. Even when it seemed forces were working against her in regards to a couple going through with a certain event. While Liam, he's had a rough time lately and needs to find a way to overcome it. Working alongside his father and best friend seem to be helping, yet spending time with Sophie and her daughter offer a better distraction. But what I liked most about Liam was how protective he was of Sophie and her daughter. That he was willing to fight to prove that Sophie is a good mom to anyone that needed such confirmation.
Overall, this was a wonderful novel where the strong chemistry and the obstacles this couple had to overcome had me cheering for this couple's happy ever after. The way this story ended was perfect, especially with the announcement Liam's cousin made to his family and then how Liam made sure that a certain event went ahead. No way were Sophie's plans going to be forfeited. I would recommend Mistletoe Cottage by Debbie Mason, if you enjoy second chance romances or the brother's best friend trope.
OVERALL RATING:
BLURB:
'Tis the season for love . . .
Sophie DiRossi loved growing up in
Harmony Harbor. But after fleeing in disgrace many years ago, it is the last place
she wants to be. Left homeless by a fire, she's forced to go back to the small
coastal town that harbors a million secrets, including her own. Sophie sees
this secret reflected every day in her daughter's blue eyes-and she must keep
it hidden from the only man she has ever loved.
Sophie's return is a shock for
everyone . . . especially Liam Gallagher. The firefighter had some serious
feelings for Sophie-and seeing her again sparks a desire so fierce it takes his
breath away. Now Liam will do whatever it takes to show Sophie that they
deserve a second chance at love, even if everything they've concealed threatens
to keep them apart. In this special town at this special time of the year,
Sophie and Liam can only hope for a little holiday magic . . .
It took a few minutes for them to
make their way past the boxes and merchandise piled on the floor to the
Christmas decorations.
“Big or small, twinkle or static?”
Liam asked, holding up two boxes in each hand.
Sophie pushed the aviators on top of
her head and leaned in. “Small and twinkle?”
He smiled, then his eyes narrowed at
something on the shelf. “Isn’t this the elf Mia was playing with at the
cottage?”
Sophie nodded. “She used to have one
just like her. Do you think John would mind putting it on hold for . . .” She
sighed when Liam added it to his growing pile. “You’re going to spoil her,
aren’t you?”
“Me? Never.”
“Right. . . Hey, look at this. Mia
would love it, and we wouldn’t have to put up a bunch of lights.” She held up a package that contained an
eight-foot blowup Olaf.
Liam frowned. “He’s kind of an odd
looking snowman, don’t you think?”
“It’s Olaf.”
“Is that supposed to mean something
to me?”
“From Frozen. Remember, let it go?”
He laughed. “How could I forget?”
Then his laughter faded, and a pained expression crossed his face as though he
was thinking about their day at Mistletoe Cottage.
It had been an amazing day. Until it
wasn’t. And then it hit Sophie that maybe “letting it go” was exactly what she
had to do for all of them to move forward. She leaned into Liam and whispered,
“I forgive you.”
A slow smile curved his lips. It
wasn’t his you’re cute but annoying
smile or his charmingly wicked smile. It was warm and wonderful and made her
remember how much she’d once loved him. “I forgive you too,” he said.
Debbie Mason is the bestselling author of
the Christmas, Colorado series and Harmony Harbor series. Her books have been
praised for their "likable characters, clever dialogue and juicy
plots" (RT Book Reviews). She also writes historical paranormals as Debbie
Mazzuca. Her MacLeod series has received several nominations for best
paranormal as well as a Holt Medallion Award of Merit. When she isn't writing
or reading, Debbie enjoys spending time with her very own real-life hero, their
three wonderful children, two adorable grandbabies, and a yappy Yorkie named
Bella.
Thank you for taking the time to review MISTLETOE COTTAGE today!
ReplyDeleteCrystal, Tasty Book Tours
Sounds very good I'm looking forward to reading this
ReplyDeletePenney