Morning television show darling Emma Sutton has just been fired. The only way to get her job back is to find a holiday story to warm the coldest heart. So when her hometown of Sugar Creek, Arkansas, needs a Christmas event planner, Emma moves back, sure her story lies in the town’s desire to become a tourist’s holiday wonderland. The plan is perfect—until Emma meets her new boss.
Charming, handsome Noah Kincaid isn’t just Sugar Creek’s newest mayor. He’s also Emma’s ex-fiancé. Ten years ago Emma left Noah her ring and a goodbye note, but it’s haunted her ever since. The last thing Noah wants to do is work with the woman who broke his heart, but Emma’s desperate to prove to him that her bah-humbug ways won’t interfere with her work.
Emma finds it’s more than the mistletoe drawing her back to Noah. Whatever they had is clearly not over, but Noah’s kisses can’t protect Emma from a past that won’t leave her alone. As the snow falls and the trees glisten, love will come to Sugar Creek. But will it come in time to make all of Emma’s Christmas dreams come true?
I happened upon this book while looking for a Christmas themed novella I could read over the weekend. What I found was an amazing story that I fell in love with within the first chapter.
Emma was immediately likable for me. I thought she was such a fun character with a past that also made her very interesting. When she is fired from her fancy morning show, she runs to her hometown of Sugar Creek. Sugar Creek is located in the booming northwest corner of Arkansas - my home state!
As soon as Emma arrives in Arkansas, she comes face to face with Noah. If Emma is likable, then Noah is lovable. A true gentleman who has had his heart broken but is determined to make the most of his life. He has done very well for himself, and he is shocked to see Emma back in town.
Watching these two characters work around each other to make a name for Christmas in Sugar Creek was exciting. Their chemistry and their past made their story such a page turner and I was on edge just waiting to see what would happen between these two.
There was also the story of Emma and her father. Edward is a big name one-hit-wonder on the country music circuit and has pretty much failed as a father to Emma. Emma carries a deep dislike for her father and for everything that has to do with him. They have a couple painful encounters throughout this story, but their end was worth it.
I loved every aspect of this story, and loved the true story that came through in the end - follow what makes you happy.
I think this is the perfect way to kick off a new series and I can't wait to see what will come next for these characters. I am looking forward to it.
