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Christmas, Colorado #2
Christmas in July
Grace Flaherty had given up hope of ever seeing her husband again. After all, it'd been over a year since he went missing in combat. So when he strides through the door of her bakery in downtown Christmas one sunny afternoon, she can hardly believe her eyes. But her happily-ever-after is going to take some effort - because Jack has no memory of his family.
All Jack Flaherty remembers about Christmas is that he couldn't wait to leave town. Now he's a local hero with a wife and son he doesn't know. Even as he struggles to rekindle the romance with his wife, he knows in his heart what he wants: a second chance at love.
All Jack Flaherty remembers about Christmas is that he couldn't wait to leave town. Now he's a local hero with a wife and son he doesn't know. Even as he struggles to rekindle the romance with his wife, he knows in his heart what he wants: a second chance at love.
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 24, 2014
About the author
Debbie Mason
35 books1,679 followersDebbie Mason is the USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of the Christmas, Colorado series and the Harmony Harbor series. The first book in her Christmas, Colorado series, “The Trouble with Christmas,” was the inspiration for Hallmark’s “Welcome to Christmas.” Her books have been praised by RT Book Reviews for their “likable characters, clever dialogue, and juicy plots.” When Debbie isn’t writing, she enjoys spending time with her family in Ottawa, Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
March 25, 2016
I was so disappointed in this book, I struggled through thinking it must get better but had to give up at 50%. I had read the first in the series and absolutely loved it, but this one was full of really, really irritating characters. The main story was about Jack & Grace. Jack was missing in action, presumed dead, and 17 months later his wife Grace was about to accept that he was actually gone when he, and the others he was captured with, escaped and came home. Jack had lost his memory and didn't remember his wife and child, but it didn't take long for his memory to come back once he got back. The story itself sounded great and I was really looking forward to reading it, but Jack was an idiot, his son - 2.5 year old little Jack - was an absolute brat, and his sister Jill.... don't even get me started on her! She was soo judgemental, things were either black or white in her eyes, no grey at all.
Jack & Grace had been having some marriage troubles before he went MIA because of issues he was having (not Grace's fault) and once Jill found out she totally turned on Grace, supposedly her 'best friend', and sided with Maria (reporter who had been in captivity with Jack & co.). Maria decided that she wanted Jack, never mind that once he regained his memory and remembered how much he loved his wife he wanted to go back to the way things were, oh no Maria decided that she was going to have him no matter what and did everything she could to drive a wedge between Jack & Grace, with Jill siding with her. What?? Then when the rest of the town found out that Grace had asked Jack for a divorce just before he went missing (heated moment when he was being his usual pain) they also turned against her and cancelled orders from her bakery. Again.... what?? Grace had been working so hard to renovate their apartment and the bakery, keep everything together on her own (with her nightmare child!!) and then everyone just turns against her because of that - their relationship problems were nothing to do with anyone else and I really don't understand why they would suddenly side with Jack (who until he joined up and went MIA had been the bad boy of the town).
The only character I liked was Sawyer, but having previously looked through the description for the rest of the series he supposedly gets together with nasty Jill in a later book. So unfortunately, much as it pains me to say as I really, really liked the first book, I will be giving this series a miss.
Jack & Grace had been having some marriage troubles before he went MIA because of issues he was having (not Grace's fault) and once Jill found out she totally turned on Grace, supposedly her 'best friend', and sided with Maria (reporter who had been in captivity with Jack & co.). Maria decided that she wanted Jack, never mind that once he regained his memory and remembered how much he loved his wife he wanted to go back to the way things were, oh no Maria decided that she was going to have him no matter what and did everything she could to drive a wedge between Jack & Grace, with Jill siding with her. What?? Then when the rest of the town found out that Grace had asked Jack for a divorce just before he went missing (heated moment when he was being his usual pain) they also turned against her and cancelled orders from her bakery. Again.... what?? Grace had been working so hard to renovate their apartment and the bakery, keep everything together on her own (with her nightmare child!!) and then everyone just turns against her because of that - their relationship problems were nothing to do with anyone else and I really don't understand why they would suddenly side with Jack (who until he joined up and went MIA had been the bad boy of the town).
The only character I liked was Sawyer, but having previously looked through the description for the rest of the series he supposedly gets together with nasty Jill in a later book. So unfortunately, much as it pains me to say as I really, really liked the first book, I will be giving this series a miss.
August 7, 2017
Recently I needed a break from my normal reads and decided to return to Christmas, Colorado. Christmas in July by Debbie Mason is the second book in the series and tells the story of Grace and Jack Flaherty. I kind of did this series backwards by starting the series in book 6 and now I’m going backwards. I’ll be honest I’ve been wanting to read their story since I read Jill’s story in Happy Ever After in Christmas. I love this couple and now I have even more reason to love them. Told in dual POV, my heart broke time and again for this couple who were trying to reconnect after a long separation.
Grace is my hero. She’s a baker, raising her son and doing so as independently as she can. When the story opens, Grace is ready to say goodbye to her husband. Jack’s been missing for 17 months and for her own sanity, it is time to say goodbye. She needs to focus on her son and her business if they are going to survive without Jack. But then Jack returns and Grace’s world is turned upside down. The guilt of their last night together and the letter she wrote saying goodbye is eating her alive. Add to that Jack’s memory is gone and he doesn’t remember he has a wife or even a son, she’s at her wits end. My heart broke for her as she struggled to cope with all life was throwing at her.
Jack is a man’s man. He is a war hero, an escaped POW, and now he’s home in Christmas, the last place on earth he wants to be…except maybe the cell he spent most of his time in the last 17 months. When he returns to the States, all he wants is to take the woman who was held captive with him to bed and forget all they’ve endured. He even thinks that he could potentially settle down with her. Then his little sister shows up and fills him in on everything he’s forgotten, like the wife and son. Honorable to his core, Jack returns to Christmas. I like Jack. He’s trying to be a good guy, do the honorable thing, yet at every turn he winds up hurting this woman he doesn’t remember. Yet there’s no denying they have chemistry and his son is a mini-him. I felt for Jack as he struggles to remember what he’s forgotten.
The plot of the story really revolves around Grace and Jack. She wants to settle in Christmas, it’s her home and where she’s been raising little Jack while Jack was missing. Jack wants out of Christmas, he wants to reenlist, and he never wanted a wife at least that he can remember. It’s heartbreaking reading as these two hurt one another over and over again and themselves. I loved the way the author brings them together, how she weaves their story into the town of Christmas.
Overall I really enjoyed Jack and Grace’s story. It was a little repetitive as they continued to fight over Christmas, how to raise little Jack and whether or not to keep the bakery. I rooted for them though. And I’ll admit I skipped sleep to finish the book in one night. The book can be read as a standalone as a new set of characters appears in each book. If you enjoy contemporary romance, I highly recommend it.
Grace is my hero. She’s a baker, raising her son and doing so as independently as she can. When the story opens, Grace is ready to say goodbye to her husband. Jack’s been missing for 17 months and for her own sanity, it is time to say goodbye. She needs to focus on her son and her business if they are going to survive without Jack. But then Jack returns and Grace’s world is turned upside down. The guilt of their last night together and the letter she wrote saying goodbye is eating her alive. Add to that Jack’s memory is gone and he doesn’t remember he has a wife or even a son, she’s at her wits end. My heart broke for her as she struggled to cope with all life was throwing at her.
Jack is a man’s man. He is a war hero, an escaped POW, and now he’s home in Christmas, the last place on earth he wants to be…except maybe the cell he spent most of his time in the last 17 months. When he returns to the States, all he wants is to take the woman who was held captive with him to bed and forget all they’ve endured. He even thinks that he could potentially settle down with her. Then his little sister shows up and fills him in on everything he’s forgotten, like the wife and son. Honorable to his core, Jack returns to Christmas. I like Jack. He’s trying to be a good guy, do the honorable thing, yet at every turn he winds up hurting this woman he doesn’t remember. Yet there’s no denying they have chemistry and his son is a mini-him. I felt for Jack as he struggles to remember what he’s forgotten.
The plot of the story really revolves around Grace and Jack. She wants to settle in Christmas, it’s her home and where she’s been raising little Jack while Jack was missing. Jack wants out of Christmas, he wants to reenlist, and he never wanted a wife at least that he can remember. It’s heartbreaking reading as these two hurt one another over and over again and themselves. I loved the way the author brings them together, how she weaves their story into the town of Christmas.
Overall I really enjoyed Jack and Grace’s story. It was a little repetitive as they continued to fight over Christmas, how to raise little Jack and whether or not to keep the bakery. I rooted for them though. And I’ll admit I skipped sleep to finish the book in one night. The book can be read as a standalone as a new set of characters appears in each book. If you enjoy contemporary romance, I highly recommend it.
December 19, 2014
4.5 Stars! Book two in the Christmas, Colorado series, Christmas in July was a deeply emotional read compared to book one. Although still a book about the crazy characters we know and love in Christmas, it was a bit weightier in its content.
Summary:
Grace Flaherty is giving up. After seventeen months of stress and worry and no positive word, Grace is ready to let her MIA husband go. It's breaking her heart, but she can't continue on and do right by their two year old son if she's constantly sick at heart. Just as she's about to go through with her decision, news arrives that her husband has been rescued. There's nothing Grace wanted more, but her happily ever after halts abruptly when she learns that Jack has no memory of either her or their son. Jack Flaherty spent seventeen months in hell, and now that he's home, he's eager to celebrate that he's alive. Imagine his shock when he learns he not only has a wife, but a son as well. Despite his shock, he wants to try to get to know the family he doesn't remember making, but the problem is he has to go back to Christmas, Colorado to do it. All Jack remembers of his hometown is how badly he wanted to leave. But coming home now is a lot different than when he was a kid. He's a local hero. Reuniting with his wife, Jack is surprised at his fierce protective instinct and instant lust given his amnesia, especially since Grace is the exact opposite of the women Jack liked to date. Getting to know one another isn't without its struggles, but both Jack and Grace want to try to rekindle what they had. Just as their heading towards a breakthrough, Jack gets his memory back. This would be perfect except the fact he understands just what state his marriage was in before he went missing. Are Jack and Grace really meant for each other or is Jack staying out of a sense of duty. With confusion reigning and past demons attacking, Jack and Grace have a long road ahead, but will they survive when a secret Jack's been keeping is revealed and sends all of their worlds spinning.
This was an emotional book for me. It was a rollercoaster ride full of laughs, tears, and some anger. Grace was such a strong woman. Being an army wife myself, I know the fear when thinking of the possibilities for our soldiers, so for her to survive through actually experiencing it was admirable. I loved how deeply she cared, and my heart hurt for her for her obsessive compulsiveness and the reason for it. I loved Jack, too, but thought he was a bit too accomodating of Maria. The fact that he survived the ordeal he went through and with so little problems was a miracle. My favorite, though, was him and Grace together. They were clearly opposites, but worked perfectly together. Again supporting cast has me anxious for book three, and falling deeper for the residents of the small Colorado town. I also love that Ms. Mason adds just a hint of magic to her stories. It just gives the whole story that little bit more sparkle. I will definitely be reading on because I'm hooked on Christmas ;-). <3
Summary:
Grace Flaherty is giving up. After seventeen months of stress and worry and no positive word, Grace is ready to let her MIA husband go. It's breaking her heart, but she can't continue on and do right by their two year old son if she's constantly sick at heart. Just as she's about to go through with her decision, news arrives that her husband has been rescued. There's nothing Grace wanted more, but her happily ever after halts abruptly when she learns that Jack has no memory of either her or their son. Jack Flaherty spent seventeen months in hell, and now that he's home, he's eager to celebrate that he's alive. Imagine his shock when he learns he not only has a wife, but a son as well. Despite his shock, he wants to try to get to know the family he doesn't remember making, but the problem is he has to go back to Christmas, Colorado to do it. All Jack remembers of his hometown is how badly he wanted to leave. But coming home now is a lot different than when he was a kid. He's a local hero. Reuniting with his wife, Jack is surprised at his fierce protective instinct and instant lust given his amnesia, especially since Grace is the exact opposite of the women Jack liked to date. Getting to know one another isn't without its struggles, but both Jack and Grace want to try to rekindle what they had. Just as their heading towards a breakthrough, Jack gets his memory back. This would be perfect except the fact he understands just what state his marriage was in before he went missing. Are Jack and Grace really meant for each other or is Jack staying out of a sense of duty. With confusion reigning and past demons attacking, Jack and Grace have a long road ahead, but will they survive when a secret Jack's been keeping is revealed and sends all of their worlds spinning.
This was an emotional book for me. It was a rollercoaster ride full of laughs, tears, and some anger. Grace was such a strong woman. Being an army wife myself, I know the fear when thinking of the possibilities for our soldiers, so for her to survive through actually experiencing it was admirable. I loved how deeply she cared, and my heart hurt for her for her obsessive compulsiveness and the reason for it. I loved Jack, too, but thought he was a bit too accomodating of Maria. The fact that he survived the ordeal he went through and with so little problems was a miracle. My favorite, though, was him and Grace together. They were clearly opposites, but worked perfectly together. Again supporting cast has me anxious for book three, and falling deeper for the residents of the small Colorado town. I also love that Ms. Mason adds just a hint of magic to her stories. It just gives the whole story that little bit more sparkle. I will definitely be reading on because I'm hooked on Christmas ;-). <3
October 13, 2018
Loving this little town of Christmas!
July 3, 2019
There is so much that I didn’t like about this story, it’s hard to know where to begin. Besides absolutely detesting the alpha male, egotistical, controlling husband in this book, I was still drawn to the story for the first hundred plus pages. However, when he repeatedly treated his wife so obnoxiously and she forgave him repeatedly, especially because he was so “hot”, I could barely force myself to finish. The sister-in-law was horrendous, many of the towns residents were quick to pass judgement, and as the pages passed the story became more and more ludicrous. Really, how many bad things can an author possibly put into one story? I didn’t enjoy the first story in this series and had issues with it, but thought I’d give the series one more try, but apparently this author, or perhaps this series, is just not for me.
June 24, 2014
I received this book free from Firstreads. This is my honest review.
What happens to a great loving marriage when memory has been stolen in combat? Grace has been waiting for over a year to hear information about her MIA husband who was captured in combat in Afghanistan. She has moved into the apartment left to them by her husband's late grandmother. She 's also made quit a go of the bakery below the apartment. She and their seventeen month son have found a loving community in Christmas, Colorado.
Grace's joy is almost complete when her husband escapes and is returned home, but a hit on the head has caused, Jack to loose all memory of Grace and their marriage. Further complications come from, Maria, an embedded journalist who escaped with Jack and had become his girlfriend during this time .Grace and Jack want to find their love and life again but it may definitely take some work with all the present and past complications in their lives.
This is a beautiful story that kept me enthralled from page one . The characters and situations are so realistic that it reads like a true story being told to you by a dear friend. This is the second book about the small town of a Christmas, Colorado, but it can definitely be read as a stand alone book. Though I enjoyed it so much that I want to go back and read the story of another of the town couples told in book one--THE TROUBLE WITH CHRISTMAS. Light read with a very serious theme that was dealt with wonderfully.
What happens to a great loving marriage when memory has been stolen in combat? Grace has been waiting for over a year to hear information about her MIA husband who was captured in combat in Afghanistan. She has moved into the apartment left to them by her husband's late grandmother. She 's also made quit a go of the bakery below the apartment. She and their seventeen month son have found a loving community in Christmas, Colorado.
Grace's joy is almost complete when her husband escapes and is returned home, but a hit on the head has caused, Jack to loose all memory of Grace and their marriage. Further complications come from, Maria, an embedded journalist who escaped with Jack and had become his girlfriend during this time .Grace and Jack want to find their love and life again but it may definitely take some work with all the present and past complications in their lives.
This is a beautiful story that kept me enthralled from page one . The characters and situations are so realistic that it reads like a true story being told to you by a dear friend. This is the second book about the small town of a Christmas, Colorado, but it can definitely be read as a stand alone book. Though I enjoyed it so much that I want to go back and read the story of another of the town couples told in book one--THE TROUBLE WITH CHRISTMAS. Light read with a very serious theme that was dealt with wonderfully.
April 27, 2015
I enjoyed this one about a military POW who returns home with amnesia regarding the wife and son he left behind (of course, he left behind a marriage in trouble and harsh words spoken). Along with the amnesia, he met a sexy reporter who he would like to pursue. There was some drama and angst (not overdone), misunderstandings as the H/h try to work through their separation, his memory, their "terrible" 2-year old, his best friend's interest in his wife, the sexy reporter's interest in her husband, and if the marriage will survive. I liked it. I will read more in the series. 3.5 stars.
July 4, 2014
I received this book free on a Goodreads giveaway. The premise was fascinating, and the first third of the book held my interest, but then I had to force myself to keep reading as all the distracting and really not helpful side characters appeared as plot fillers. The book was drawn out and convulted after awhile, which disappointed me after a good start with solid characters. This had the potential to be a lot more.
October 14, 2018
A light, fun contemporary romance!
Life wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t meant to be. If you didn’t go through the bad times, the sad times, you wouldn’t appreciate how incredible the good times were.
Christmas in July by Debbie Mason is a light, fun contemporary romance perfect for any time of the year. It’s the second installment in Debbie’s Christmas, Colorado collection. Each of the books in this series work perfectly well as stand alone reads which is a good thing as I’m unintentionally reading them out-of-order. The series is addictive. Once you read one, you’ll want to devour them all!
This is a second chance of love tale featuring Jack and Grace Flaherty. As the story opens, Grace has despaired of ever seeing Jack again. Their parting had been heartbreaking as she’d threatened him with a divorce as he left for another tour of duty. You should know that he’d previously promised her that he would not leave again for another tour. Even so, she’d immediately regretted their last words and had tried to call him – but, he refused her calls. Then, he went MIA in Afghanistan for seventeen months leaving Grace with a newborn to raise on her own. Fast forward to present day. Grace can no longer handle the stress and worry, and with no positive news of Jack’s survival, she has made the decision to move on. It’s breaking her heart, but she needs to let him go. Just as she’s made the decision, there’s good and bad news: Her husband has been rescued, but, Jack has amnesia with no recollection of either her or their son.
Jack is eager to kick up his heels after spending seventeen long months in captivity. He has an eager, willing woman – she was actually a POW with him - and he can’t wait to be alone with her. Imagine his shock when he learns that he is a married man with a wife and a son he cannot remember in Christmas, Colorado – his hometown that he was happy to leave and a place he’s not eager to return to.
Jack is a war hero and a man’s man. Grace is a general’s daughter, a skilled baker, a perfectionist and an independent business woman. I liked both characters from the start though I wanted to shake each of them a few times as their story transpired. It’s a given that they’re going to butt heads. But, can their troubled marriage be rebuilt? They have a lot to cope with both past and present complications. Still, I held out hope that love would find a way. If you have read other books in the series, you will enjoy catching up with previous favorite characters with lots of love, laughter, and tears along the way.
There’s a bit of a love triangle herein as Jack harbors a large secret. He’s an honorable man and trying to do the right thing – but the correct course is not always clear nor does it leave loved ones unscathed. I will share that Debbie tackles some weighty, deeply emotional issues in this read from the perspective of our military and their families including dealing with the stress and worries of the families while their loved one is serving to the myriad of problems faced when their loved one returns. The families have had to learn how to survive without them; how do returnees fit back into their family unit when they come home?
Following please find a few of my favorite lines from Christmas in July:
“If we weren’t already married, I’d propose to you right now.”
---
“Tease,” he rasped. His slow, dangerous smile promised payback. Kissing the chocolate from her lips, he unhooked her bra. “You’re not the only one in this family who’s an artist, you know. I was real good at finger painting. And don’t worry,” he said, drawing his chocolate-coated finger between her breasts and down her quivering stomach, “I clean up my messes, too.”
---
“Is there anything she’s not good at? Please tell me there is, because I’m seriously thinking about not being friends with her anymore. It’s too hard on my self-esteem.”
Can these two resurrect their love after so much has transpired? You’ll have to pick up Christmas in July to find out! The surprise ending is teeming with warm fuzzies. If you are looking for a heartwarming escape read with a bit of sparkly magic in the lovable, small community of Christmas, Colorado, look no further than Christmas in July!
Life wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t meant to be. If you didn’t go through the bad times, the sad times, you wouldn’t appreciate how incredible the good times were.
Christmas in July by Debbie Mason is a light, fun contemporary romance perfect for any time of the year. It’s the second installment in Debbie’s Christmas, Colorado collection. Each of the books in this series work perfectly well as stand alone reads which is a good thing as I’m unintentionally reading them out-of-order. The series is addictive. Once you read one, you’ll want to devour them all!
This is a second chance of love tale featuring Jack and Grace Flaherty. As the story opens, Grace has despaired of ever seeing Jack again. Their parting had been heartbreaking as she’d threatened him with a divorce as he left for another tour of duty. You should know that he’d previously promised her that he would not leave again for another tour. Even so, she’d immediately regretted their last words and had tried to call him – but, he refused her calls. Then, he went MIA in Afghanistan for seventeen months leaving Grace with a newborn to raise on her own. Fast forward to present day. Grace can no longer handle the stress and worry, and with no positive news of Jack’s survival, she has made the decision to move on. It’s breaking her heart, but she needs to let him go. Just as she’s made the decision, there’s good and bad news: Her husband has been rescued, but, Jack has amnesia with no recollection of either her or their son.
Jack is eager to kick up his heels after spending seventeen long months in captivity. He has an eager, willing woman – she was actually a POW with him - and he can’t wait to be alone with her. Imagine his shock when he learns that he is a married man with a wife and a son he cannot remember in Christmas, Colorado – his hometown that he was happy to leave and a place he’s not eager to return to.
Jack is a war hero and a man’s man. Grace is a general’s daughter, a skilled baker, a perfectionist and an independent business woman. I liked both characters from the start though I wanted to shake each of them a few times as their story transpired. It’s a given that they’re going to butt heads. But, can their troubled marriage be rebuilt? They have a lot to cope with both past and present complications. Still, I held out hope that love would find a way. If you have read other books in the series, you will enjoy catching up with previous favorite characters with lots of love, laughter, and tears along the way.
There’s a bit of a love triangle herein as Jack harbors a large secret. He’s an honorable man and trying to do the right thing – but the correct course is not always clear nor does it leave loved ones unscathed. I will share that Debbie tackles some weighty, deeply emotional issues in this read from the perspective of our military and their families including dealing with the stress and worries of the families while their loved one is serving to the myriad of problems faced when their loved one returns. The families have had to learn how to survive without them; how do returnees fit back into their family unit when they come home?
Following please find a few of my favorite lines from Christmas in July:
“If we weren’t already married, I’d propose to you right now.”
---
“Tease,” he rasped. His slow, dangerous smile promised payback. Kissing the chocolate from her lips, he unhooked her bra. “You’re not the only one in this family who’s an artist, you know. I was real good at finger painting. And don’t worry,” he said, drawing his chocolate-coated finger between her breasts and down her quivering stomach, “I clean up my messes, too.”
---
“Is there anything she’s not good at? Please tell me there is, because I’m seriously thinking about not being friends with her anymore. It’s too hard on my self-esteem.”
Can these two resurrect their love after so much has transpired? You’ll have to pick up Christmas in July to find out! The surprise ending is teeming with warm fuzzies. If you are looking for a heartwarming escape read with a bit of sparkly magic in the lovable, small community of Christmas, Colorado, look no further than Christmas in July!
March 29, 2020
What a huge let down after the first book.
There were lots of things that drove me crazy here, chief among them was Jack's extreme control when it came to anything Grace did and thought. Never mind the fact that he refused to acknowledge she'd been acting as a single mother without him for over a year, she knows what their son needs. But no, he can't allow that she likes his hair the way it is and that having him on a child leash is the best way to keep him from running off Gee, can't imagine what would have happened if he'd actually followed her advice.
All the Maria crap. I just... it was so out of line in so many instances that's all I'm going to say there.
Jill was awful. Who turns their back on their best friend and throws in with the woman the brother was rescued with? And just because Grace had said something any person might say in the heat of an argument. I really enjoy Sawyer and have been looking forward to his book, but knowing Jill is his heroine makes me unseasy...
The amount of times people commented on Grace needing to put on weight. No. Just stop.
Grace was literally the saving grace here, she was strong and intelligent. I just hate that she ended up saddled with this terrible family.
There were lots of things that drove me crazy here, chief among them was Jack's extreme control when it came to anything Grace did and thought. Never mind the fact that he refused to acknowledge she'd been acting as a single mother without him for over a year, she knows what their son needs. But no, he can't allow that she likes his hair the way it is and that having him on a child leash is the best way to keep him from running off Gee, can't imagine what would have happened if he'd actually followed her advice.
All the Maria crap. I just... it was so out of line in so many instances that's all I'm going to say there.
Jill was awful. Who turns their back on their best friend and throws in with the woman the brother was rescued with? And just because Grace had said something any person might say in the heat of an argument. I really enjoy Sawyer and have been looking forward to his book, but knowing Jill is his heroine makes me unseasy...
The amount of times people commented on Grace needing to put on weight. No. Just stop.
Grace was literally the saving grace here, she was strong and intelligent. I just hate that she ended up saddled with this terrible family.
July 2, 2019
I absolutely loved this book about Christmas in July!! It was so sweet and beautiful. I felt bad for what Grace and her son Jackson went through but in the end I'm glad they found happiness!!
Definitely will be reading more by Debbie Mason in the future!!
Definitely will be reading more by Debbie Mason in the future!!
September 26, 2018
Annoying.
December 10, 2018
Loved Grace and Jack.
August 2, 2014
I won Christmas in July by Debbie Mason from Goodreads.
Christmas in July is a sweet romance. A young couple is reunited after he returns home from military service. Complicating matters is the fact that he had been held prisoner by the enemy for over a year, all that time with no memory of his wife and son. The female protagonist, Grace, sets out to reconnect with her husband and, after he regains his memory, he works toward saving his marriage. There are, of course, complicating matters, including a budding romantic relationship that Jack had with Maria, a fellow POW.
Many of the background characters are humorous and the couple's struggles to reestablish their marriage creates a complex plot. Readers will enjoy the sweet, romantic efforts each character makes in order to woo the other.
I have three problems with this book. The first may be petty, but I found it very distracting, and it caused me to form an opinion of two characters that I don't believe the author intended. The couple's two year old son calls another man "dad.". Two year olds don't think, " Hey, this man treats me like a son so he must be my dad. I'll call him Dad.". Two year olds refer to others by the names taught to them. If this child is calling another man "Dad," his mother and that man taught him to do so.
My second issue with this novel is the number of times this couple disconnects yet again because one them lies, or keeps a secret, or overreacts to a misunderstanding, or fails to explain a behavior right away. Way too many times for my taste. With all the real issues suffered by returning soldiers, these hiccups were simply annoying.
Finally, some resolutions to plot points, from the misunderstandings between the couple to the investigation into who set a fire, are too simplistic. They are just too easily solved.
This novel has so many wonderful elements that I felt disappointed by these small irritations, causing me lose focus and enjoyment.
Christmas in July is a fun read for those who enjoy heartwarming romance.
Christmas in July is a sweet romance. A young couple is reunited after he returns home from military service. Complicating matters is the fact that he had been held prisoner by the enemy for over a year, all that time with no memory of his wife and son. The female protagonist, Grace, sets out to reconnect with her husband and, after he regains his memory, he works toward saving his marriage. There are, of course, complicating matters, including a budding romantic relationship that Jack had with Maria, a fellow POW.
Many of the background characters are humorous and the couple's struggles to reestablish their marriage creates a complex plot. Readers will enjoy the sweet, romantic efforts each character makes in order to woo the other.
I have three problems with this book. The first may be petty, but I found it very distracting, and it caused me to form an opinion of two characters that I don't believe the author intended. The couple's two year old son calls another man "dad.". Two year olds don't think, " Hey, this man treats me like a son so he must be my dad. I'll call him Dad.". Two year olds refer to others by the names taught to them. If this child is calling another man "Dad," his mother and that man taught him to do so.
My second issue with this novel is the number of times this couple disconnects yet again because one them lies, or keeps a secret, or overreacts to a misunderstanding, or fails to explain a behavior right away. Way too many times for my taste. With all the real issues suffered by returning soldiers, these hiccups were simply annoying.
Finally, some resolutions to plot points, from the misunderstandings between the couple to the investigation into who set a fire, are too simplistic. They are just too easily solved.
This novel has so many wonderful elements that I felt disappointed by these small irritations, causing me lose focus and enjoyment.
Christmas in July is a fun read for those who enjoy heartwarming romance.
June 3, 2016
I received a free copy of this book at RT16.
I read this book because I'm trying to give most of the books I got at RT16 a shot. Here is my reaction to it:
-The heroine is pretty weak and gets walked over by her husband, her best friend, the mean girl, and various townspeople. I had to look up her name to write this review and I finished reading this book an hour ago. Anyway, Grace is supposed to be demure in public, but super passionate in bed so her doormat life is balanced out, I guess. She's not terrible, but the author keeps throwing one impossible situation after another at her to the point I started skimming.
-The mean girl. I really hate this standard character, particularly if she is an ex of the hero's. Maria is over the top mean, but she has PTSD so all is ok, right? That's fine and I get the reason she's crazy, but it's such a stupid stereotype that's so often found in small town books. Did we need a mean girl on top of the husband coming home from being MIA with amnesia?
-I was actually ok with the amnesia and I like returning hero books. The amnesia was handled well and so were the marital squabbles. I think there could have been more about the hero, (looking it up) Jack, returning to civilian life after 17 months of being a POW instead of the boring mean girl stuff. Christmas in July would have been more interesting and memorable if there were.
-The ending was sugary sweet. Be prepared.
In summary, here are the elements in this book found in all small town books:
-The heroine runs a bakery (this is sometimes a candy shop)
-The heroine rarely speaks up for herself yet is able to successfully run a business
-Busybody, but loveable old ladies
-Weird town holiday or tradition (remember, the town name is Christmas)
-Everyone gets together at the end for an over the top, super sweet ending
-The mean girl
-Tragic backstories
-One of the main characters has been raised by their grandmother (to be fair, this is usually the heroine and this time it's the hero)
I read this book because I'm trying to give most of the books I got at RT16 a shot. Here is my reaction to it:
-The heroine is pretty weak and gets walked over by her husband, her best friend, the mean girl, and various townspeople. I had to look up her name to write this review and I finished reading this book an hour ago. Anyway, Grace is supposed to be demure in public, but super passionate in bed so her doormat life is balanced out, I guess. She's not terrible, but the author keeps throwing one impossible situation after another at her to the point I started skimming.
-The mean girl. I really hate this standard character, particularly if she is an ex of the hero's. Maria is over the top mean, but she has PTSD so all is ok, right? That's fine and I get the reason she's crazy, but it's such a stupid stereotype that's so often found in small town books. Did we need a mean girl on top of the husband coming home from being MIA with amnesia?
-I was actually ok with the amnesia and I like returning hero books. The amnesia was handled well and so were the marital squabbles. I think there could have been more about the hero, (looking it up) Jack, returning to civilian life after 17 months of being a POW instead of the boring mean girl stuff. Christmas in July would have been more interesting and memorable if there were.
-The ending was sugary sweet. Be prepared.
In summary, here are the elements in this book found in all small town books:
-The heroine runs a bakery (this is sometimes a candy shop)
-The heroine rarely speaks up for herself yet is able to successfully run a business
-Busybody, but loveable old ladies
-Weird town holiday or tradition (remember, the town name is Christmas)
-Everyone gets together at the end for an over the top, super sweet ending
-The mean girl
-Tragic backstories
-One of the main characters has been raised by their grandmother (to be fair, this is usually the heroine and this time it's the hero)
December 17, 2015
3.5 Stars This is a hard one to rate because if i just rated it based on the writing style, dialogue and character development it would be a 4 or 5 star but because I HATED the behavior of so many of the characters this time around I can't give it anything higher than 3.5 stars.
I wanted to like Jack, I really did but the way that he treated Grace over and over again was just unforgivable. Why did someone else's feelings matter over hers all the time? Why when Grace spoke her mind was she made out to be a bad person but when a certain other person constantly said awful things to and about her he just let it slide. He NEVER stuck up for Grace and the things he let happen over and over again in front of everyone was disgusting and super disrespectful. Unfortunately it wasn't just Jack who treated Grace so awful, Jill was a major bitch to her and then nobody really called her out for it. Grace was so ready to forgive everyone so easily time and time again but nobody seemed to offer the same in return. For a while I though that maybe her and Sawyer should have hooked up, but even he just watched people disrespect her without a word.
I would have given this book 5 stars if just once Jack would have stood up for Grace publicly. Sadly, this brought back the some feelings I had while reading the first book in this series but let slide because it wasn't as bad. There seems to be a pattern of the males choosing to protect the wrong people in public while claiming full devotion in to their woman in private then somehow making it out so that when she gets upset about it, she's in the wrong. I have high hopes that this pattern doesn't continue as I head into the 3rd book of the series.
I wanted to like Jack, I really did but the way that he treated Grace over and over again was just unforgivable. Why did someone else's feelings matter over hers all the time? Why when Grace spoke her mind was she made out to be a bad person but when a certain other person constantly said awful things to and about her he just let it slide. He NEVER stuck up for Grace and the things he let happen over and over again in front of everyone was disgusting and super disrespectful. Unfortunately it wasn't just Jack who treated Grace so awful, Jill was a major bitch to her and then nobody really called her out for it. Grace was so ready to forgive everyone so easily time and time again but nobody seemed to offer the same in return. For a while I though that maybe her and Sawyer should have hooked up, but even he just watched people disrespect her without a word.
I would have given this book 5 stars if just once Jack would have stood up for Grace publicly. Sadly, this brought back the some feelings I had while reading the first book in this series but let slide because it wasn't as bad. There seems to be a pattern of the males choosing to protect the wrong people in public while claiming full devotion in to their woman in private then somehow making it out so that when she gets upset about it, she's in the wrong. I have high hopes that this pattern doesn't continue as I head into the 3rd book of the series.
March 7, 2016
I have to say, Christmas In July is my very favorite book in the series (I haven’t read book 3 yet, but even though I’m sure Skye and Ethan’s story is going to be great, I don’t think they’ll manage to steal the top favorite spot from Grace and Jack).
The journey to Jack and Grace’s happily-ever-after isn’t an easy one, especially since the night before he left for Afghanistan they had a big fight. I enjoyed every single page in this book. I loved witnessing Jack’s growth as a man, and how his love for Grace truly shaped him and changed his mind about things he hadn’t wanted to accept before he left.
Just like all the other books, the story has funny moments, romantic moments (and no graphic scenes), as well as some tension and edge of your seat moments. I laughed, swooned, I held my breath and let it out with relief, and when I reached the last page I had a contented smile on my face. I really, truly loved this story. It’s clean romance at its best, with just enough tension to make you hold your breath waiting for the happy ending that you’ll be rooting for from the very beginning.
If you like small-town romance, this is definitely a book you should one-click without hesitating. It works perfectly as a standalone, but I’m pretty sure you’ll want to read all the other books as well—especially if you’re a series-addict type of reader. This is the perfect feel-good, small-town series that will never fail to warm your heart and bring a smile to your face.
read my full review here: http://robertasdreamworld.blogspot.it...
The journey to Jack and Grace’s happily-ever-after isn’t an easy one, especially since the night before he left for Afghanistan they had a big fight. I enjoyed every single page in this book. I loved witnessing Jack’s growth as a man, and how his love for Grace truly shaped him and changed his mind about things he hadn’t wanted to accept before he left.
Just like all the other books, the story has funny moments, romantic moments (and no graphic scenes), as well as some tension and edge of your seat moments. I laughed, swooned, I held my breath and let it out with relief, and when I reached the last page I had a contented smile on my face. I really, truly loved this story. It’s clean romance at its best, with just enough tension to make you hold your breath waiting for the happy ending that you’ll be rooting for from the very beginning.
If you like small-town romance, this is definitely a book you should one-click without hesitating. It works perfectly as a standalone, but I’m pretty sure you’ll want to read all the other books as well—especially if you’re a series-addict type of reader. This is the perfect feel-good, small-town series that will never fail to warm your heart and bring a smile to your face.
read my full review here: http://robertasdreamworld.blogspot.it...
November 30, 2018
Christmas in July begins when Grace's husband who has been MIA in the military finally comes home. The problem is he doesn't remember he has a wife and child. And when they meet again things aren't exactly as they seem. For one, both of them have secrets, and two there are other people trying to get between them. But they each have to figure out what they really want if they want to be together again.
This book was more enjoyable than the first one. I really liked the story line in this one. What I didn't like though, was the hero standing up for another woman. And I really felt like he never stood up for Grace. It made me very frustrated with him. And Grace didn't stand up for herself enough in my opinion. She started to at times, but then she just sort of backed down. I really did like this one! It was a nice interesting "Christmas" read!
This book was more enjoyable than the first one. I really liked the story line in this one. What I didn't like though, was the hero standing up for another woman. And I really felt like he never stood up for Grace. It made me very frustrated with him. And Grace didn't stand up for herself enough in my opinion. She started to at times, but then she just sort of backed down. I really did like this one! It was a nice interesting "Christmas" read!
December 9, 2016
After reading "The Trouble with Christmas", I could not wait to get my hands on this book. I was not let down. This book keep me enthralled through out my reading because of the different dynamics between main character Grace and Jack, the antics of little Jack, and of course all the characters of Christmas, Colorado. In many ways I could sit down and pick this book apart, but I wont because I don't intend for this review to be long. If, like me, you are falling in love with this series, I must say: As you read this book don't give up if you get frustrated. I easily befriended Grace and wanted only good things for her, but of course Mrs. Mason seems to have a knack for giving her antagonists a hard time. I'm glad she does, because it makes their happily-ever-afters all the more rich in the end.
Read
December 7, 2016A bit sappy but a good story - easy read!
May 3, 2016
Great series and good installment.
January 14, 2019
http://openbooksociety.com/article/ch...
Title: Christmas in July
Series: Christmas, Colorado
By: Debbie Mason
ISBN: 1455527696 (ISBN13: 9781455527694)
Author’s Website: http://authordebbiemason.com/index.html
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
Summary:
Grace Flaherty had given up hope of ever seeing her husband again. After all, it’d been over a year since he went missing in combat. So when he strides through the door of her bakery in downtown Christmas one sunny afternoon, she can hardly believe her eyes. But her happily-ever-after is going to take some effort – because Jack has no memory of his family.
All Jack Flaherty remembers about Christmas is that he couldn’t wait to leave town. Now he’s a local hero with a wife and son he doesn’t know. Even as he struggles to rekindle the romance with his wife, he knows in his heart what he wants: a second chance at love. (Goodreads)
Review:
As I continue to read more titles by Debbie Mason, I come to love her writing even more. The stories, without a doubt, take me away into their world and immerse me into the daily trials and tribulations of the inhabitants. I ready this book as part of my book club. In fact, I suggested this book and even had Debbie Mason, the author, come to the meeting when we discussed this very book. We in fact had our own “Christmas in July” party. Debbie Mason and her daughter are in the first picture.
Christmas in July is the story of Grace and Jack Flaherty and their journey to reconnect after Jack was missing in combat for seventeen months.
Grace (owner of Sugar Plum Bakery in Christmas) has, after more than a year and a half, finally given up hope that Jack would come home. Now that she has decided to move on, Jack returns home… but he has no memory of Grace nor Jack Junior (the child they share). The prose describing her decision and heartbreak surrounding that decision really struck at my heartstrings:
“Since the day Jack’s Black Hawk went down in Afghanistan and he’d been listed as MIA, she’d clung to the hope he’d come home to her and their two-year-old son. But where hope had once sustained her, now, seventeen months later, the gossamer threads held her in limbo. The not knowing was making her crazy. She had to move on with her life and somehow heal her broken heart. And the only way she knew how to do that was to let Jack go.”
During this scene, Grace is making a birthday cake for Jack’s 35th birthday – with a picket fence and a yellow ribbon tied around it. There is a sugar plum (which usually contains an engagement ring or a wish but in this instance it houses Jack’s wedding ring, a goodbye note, and a wish for Grace’s future.) The sugar plum is Grace’s signature add-in for the cakes that she makes at her bakery. Usually the sugar plum is hidden inside the cake, but this time it is outside of the cake so that she can remove it before cutting the cake (she does not want to risk anyone else finding the sugar plum).
What ensues is a very touching and heart wrenching tale of the reunion of Jack and Grace and all the trials and tribulations that emerge as a result of their being apart for so long. Jack Junior does not warm up to his father and is in fact comfortable with Jack’s best friend (Sawyer), who has been taking care of Grace and Jack Junior in Jack’s absence. Throw in an unrequited love interest (Maria – a reported also held captive in Afghanistan) attracted to Jack (did anything happen overseas?) and Jack’s memory loss and you have a story that is captivating. Add to the mix the setting is a small town where everybody (and I mean everybody) knows everyone’s business AND to boot while Jack was overseas, Grace has inherited the bakery that Jack’s grandmother owned, a bakery that Jack despises.
I found the writing style easy to read, the small town setting and daily life realistically portrayed. The romance was well written. I recommend this book and find it a great addition to the Christmas, Colorado series. I look forward to reading the remainder of the series.
I must also say, it was great having Debbie Mason at the book club meeting. Presents were exchanged – a couple of us knitted bookmarks for everyone and Ms. Mason gave each of us two of her books – Sugarplum Way and Snowbound at Christmas.
Title: Christmas in July
Series: Christmas, Colorado
By: Debbie Mason
ISBN: 1455527696 (ISBN13: 9781455527694)
Author’s Website: http://authordebbiemason.com/index.html
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
Summary:
Grace Flaherty had given up hope of ever seeing her husband again. After all, it’d been over a year since he went missing in combat. So when he strides through the door of her bakery in downtown Christmas one sunny afternoon, she can hardly believe her eyes. But her happily-ever-after is going to take some effort – because Jack has no memory of his family.
All Jack Flaherty remembers about Christmas is that he couldn’t wait to leave town. Now he’s a local hero with a wife and son he doesn’t know. Even as he struggles to rekindle the romance with his wife, he knows in his heart what he wants: a second chance at love. (Goodreads)
Review:
As I continue to read more titles by Debbie Mason, I come to love her writing even more. The stories, without a doubt, take me away into their world and immerse me into the daily trials and tribulations of the inhabitants. I ready this book as part of my book club. In fact, I suggested this book and even had Debbie Mason, the author, come to the meeting when we discussed this very book. We in fact had our own “Christmas in July” party. Debbie Mason and her daughter are in the first picture.
Christmas in July is the story of Grace and Jack Flaherty and their journey to reconnect after Jack was missing in combat for seventeen months.
Grace (owner of Sugar Plum Bakery in Christmas) has, after more than a year and a half, finally given up hope that Jack would come home. Now that she has decided to move on, Jack returns home… but he has no memory of Grace nor Jack Junior (the child they share). The prose describing her decision and heartbreak surrounding that decision really struck at my heartstrings:
“Since the day Jack’s Black Hawk went down in Afghanistan and he’d been listed as MIA, she’d clung to the hope he’d come home to her and their two-year-old son. But where hope had once sustained her, now, seventeen months later, the gossamer threads held her in limbo. The not knowing was making her crazy. She had to move on with her life and somehow heal her broken heart. And the only way she knew how to do that was to let Jack go.”
During this scene, Grace is making a birthday cake for Jack’s 35th birthday – with a picket fence and a yellow ribbon tied around it. There is a sugar plum (which usually contains an engagement ring or a wish but in this instance it houses Jack’s wedding ring, a goodbye note, and a wish for Grace’s future.) The sugar plum is Grace’s signature add-in for the cakes that she makes at her bakery. Usually the sugar plum is hidden inside the cake, but this time it is outside of the cake so that she can remove it before cutting the cake (she does not want to risk anyone else finding the sugar plum).
What ensues is a very touching and heart wrenching tale of the reunion of Jack and Grace and all the trials and tribulations that emerge as a result of their being apart for so long. Jack Junior does not warm up to his father and is in fact comfortable with Jack’s best friend (Sawyer), who has been taking care of Grace and Jack Junior in Jack’s absence. Throw in an unrequited love interest (Maria – a reported also held captive in Afghanistan) attracted to Jack (did anything happen overseas?) and Jack’s memory loss and you have a story that is captivating. Add to the mix the setting is a small town where everybody (and I mean everybody) knows everyone’s business AND to boot while Jack was overseas, Grace has inherited the bakery that Jack’s grandmother owned, a bakery that Jack despises.
I found the writing style easy to read, the small town setting and daily life realistically portrayed. The romance was well written. I recommend this book and find it a great addition to the Christmas, Colorado series. I look forward to reading the remainder of the series.
I must also say, it was great having Debbie Mason at the book club meeting. Presents were exchanged – a couple of us knitted bookmarks for everyone and Ms. Mason gave each of us two of her books – Sugarplum Way and Snowbound at Christmas.
January 9, 2020
I wrestled a bit with the rating on this one, going up and down while thinking it all through, but when it all came down to it I think I'm happy with the 4.
This book is part of the Christmas, Colorado series. The first book was turned into a Christmas Hallmark movie (which was good by the way, book was even better. You may want to pick it up and give it a read.) and I mention that because this book does have that Hallmark feel to it, and some.
Christmas in July takes place in the summer months leading up to the big July celebrations. It surrounds a family in which the husband has gone MIA and the wife (she runs a bakery just for an added perk) believes he's gone for good. When she finally decides to let go, surprise! He's found. He has no memory of a span of time and he's coming back with a bit of baggage but he tries to rekindle what he had with his wife and young son.
I don't want to tell you more about the plot or story because it would contain spoilers and I don't want to do that. From this point I am going to get vague at you so that when you read the book (or if you already have) you'll get an idea of what I am going for here. I'll just hit on a few things that made me struggle with the rating. Sometimes redemption arcs can be hard to swallow after so much has been done regardless of the turn around. In this case, one character just, well, even after doing the good stuff just still didn't work. Felt bad for the issues but I don't think it was a good excuse for everything. I'm trying to be okay with them! I am. Also, the end. I think it was a bit much for me.
Thing is, this is a well written book. The characters are well flushed out and individual. They are who they are and you won't confuse them for another. Each is very distinct. The town is great as well. It's a great little town where everyone knows everyone and keeps track of each other in ways that are both good and humorous. Speaking of humor, the humors tones throughout the book are great. This is just a fun enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to continuing on with this series!
This book is part of the Christmas, Colorado series. The first book was turned into a Christmas Hallmark movie (which was good by the way, book was even better. You may want to pick it up and give it a read.) and I mention that because this book does have that Hallmark feel to it, and some.
Christmas in July takes place in the summer months leading up to the big July celebrations. It surrounds a family in which the husband has gone MIA and the wife (she runs a bakery just for an added perk) believes he's gone for good. When she finally decides to let go, surprise! He's found. He has no memory of a span of time and he's coming back with a bit of baggage but he tries to rekindle what he had with his wife and young son.
I don't want to tell you more about the plot or story because it would contain spoilers and I don't want to do that. From this point I am going to get vague at you so that when you read the book (or if you already have) you'll get an idea of what I am going for here. I'll just hit on a few things that made me struggle with the rating. Sometimes redemption arcs can be hard to swallow after so much has been done regardless of the turn around. In this case, one character just, well, even after doing the good stuff just still didn't work. Felt bad for the issues but I don't think it was a good excuse for everything. I'm trying to be okay with them! I am. Also, the end. I think it was a bit much for me.
Thing is, this is a well written book. The characters are well flushed out and individual. They are who they are and you won't confuse them for another. Each is very distinct. The town is great as well. It's a great little town where everyone knows everyone and keeps track of each other in ways that are both good and humorous. Speaking of humor, the humors tones throughout the book are great. This is just a fun enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to continuing on with this series!
March 20, 2021
disappointed in this book, I struggled through thinking it must get better but it didn't. the series and absolutely loved it, but this one was full of really irritating characters and just character who shouldn'thave really been included.The main story was about Jack & Grace. Jack was missing in action, presumed dead, and about 17 month later his wife Grace is ready to accept that he was actually gone when he, and the others are found and he comes home. Jack had lost his memory and didn't remember his wife and child, but it didn't take long for his memory to come back once he got back. The story itself sounds great and I was really looking forward to reading it, but Jack was an idiot, his and his sister Jill She was soo judgemental, things were either black or white no grey at all.
Jack & Grace where having some marriage troubles before he went MIA because of issues he was having and when Jill found out she turned on Grace and sided with Maria (reporter who had been in captivity with Jack & co.) Now Maria character should have been tossed out of the whole book. I think if that character was left out then the book would have been great. she want Jack, never mind that he regained his memory and remembered how much he loves his wife he wanted to go back to the way things were, can I just say find it highly unlikely that jack and Maria would have had enough time to work up a romance while being held hostage and escaping. That huge plot in the book is i
why her character made no sense. All that happened was a kiss then nothing else. It just seemed like Debbie added way too much in this book that didn't need to be added Maria character was the number one part also having Grace come out as a bad guy another thing that could have been left out.
Jack & Grace where having some marriage troubles before he went MIA because of issues he was having and when Jill found out she turned on Grace and sided with Maria (reporter who had been in captivity with Jack & co.) Now Maria character should have been tossed out of the whole book. I think if that character was left out then the book would have been great. she want Jack, never mind that he regained his memory and remembered how much he loves his wife he wanted to go back to the way things were, can I just say find it highly unlikely that jack and Maria would have had enough time to work up a romance while being held hostage and escaping. That huge plot in the book is i
why her character made no sense. All that happened was a kiss then nothing else. It just seemed like Debbie added way too much in this book that didn't need to be added Maria character was the number one part also having Grace come out as a bad guy another thing that could have been left out.
February 2, 2018
This book caused me a lot of stress. This wasn't some cute love story. It was so much back and forth between them. I didn't hate it though. It was just almost too hard to read. I didn't read the summary, so I started off thinking it was going to be her and Sawyer. I'm glad it went this way. No way can it be easy coming back together after so much time. I definitely had some rage issued when he wouldn't listen about their son. Like, uhh, you don't even know him!! He said they disagreed about discipline because he didn't think two year olds need it!!! That made me crazy. Had to take a moment.
Ha but there were a whole lot of issues and secrets that kept popping up. And Jill was a huge bitch! (Also, it took me WAY too long to realize that they were named Jack and Jill...that had to suck growing up more than other stuff!!
In the end, not my favorite. Maybe could have done without some of the drama.
Ha but there were a whole lot of issues and secrets that kept popping up. And Jill was a huge bitch! (Also, it took me WAY too long to realize that they were named Jack and Jill...that had to suck growing up more than other stuff!!
In the end, not my favorite. Maybe could have done without some of the drama.
January 9, 2019
Jack Flaherty went missing in Combat almost 2 years ago and his wife Grace and their 2 year old son were left behind. Grace had pretty much given up hope. But when Jack comes home he has no memory of her and their son.Hi memories are of the town and never wanting to live there again. While missing he had gotten close to another woman and she isn't about to let go of him. She will do anything to remind him of why he didn't want to be tied down and live in Christmas, Colorado.
I loved this book. I could have done with a little less fighting between Grace and Jack but it all came together in the end. I feel bad for Grace as her relationship with her mother was so strained and I really wanted to slap her mother upside the head. This is a small town where everyone watches out for everyone but beware if you hurt someone because they can all turn on you real quick. I am going to keep reading this series.
I loved this book. I could have done with a little less fighting between Grace and Jack but it all came together in the end. I feel bad for Grace as her relationship with her mother was so strained and I really wanted to slap her mother upside the head. This is a small town where everyone watches out for everyone but beware if you hurt someone because they can all turn on you real quick. I am going to keep reading this series.
September 3, 2024
This story was so crazy, with so much drama, anger, jealousy, lying and judgment. And it had way too much talk of sex, despite thankfully not going into explicit detail. Much of the story had me feeling like the two main characters were more into having sex than actually being very much in love. It seemed kind of crazy that Jack's memory came back all of a sudden after not being home very long and not remembering he was married with a son-despite the fact that he remembered everyone else in town. If probably wouldn't have decided to read this one if I had known what the storyline would be like.
December 15, 2019
Pretty good, better than the 3rd(which I accidentally read first😅)in the series, but not as good as the 1st. I enjoyed Grace, and was glad to see her grow a backbone. Her and Jack DEFINITELY should have gone to therapy. I could understand Jack's disdain for the town, especially with the citizens CONSTANTLY budding in on his marriage without all the facts and passing judgments. One thing is for sure, from the first 3 books male leads, I liked Gage the most. Less self absorbed, more thoughtful. I'm curious for book 4 considering the ending of book 3.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2024
What a cute little series this is turning out to be! Madison, Gage, Jack, and Grace! The story continues with Grace and Jack wo was a POW for 17 months, and when Grace was ready to close the book on this chapter....he is found! He returns to Christmas not only with himself, but with a boatload of baggage with him.
I did enjoy it especially around the holidays, even though this one includes the 4th of July! Recommend this for a reprieve from other book genres and if you are looking to get list in a good book! Looking forward to the next book!
This series would be a good movie set!
I did enjoy it especially around the holidays, even though this one includes the 4th of July! Recommend this for a reprieve from other book genres and if you are looking to get list in a good book! Looking forward to the next book!
This series would be a good movie set!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2017
Jackson Flaherty had been MIA for 17 months is wife Grace and son Jack Jr. had been doing the best they could praying for him to come home. Grace had been under so much stress and pressure that on Jack's birthday she had finally decided it was time to move on with her life thinking he would never be found. That same day she gets news her husband has been found and is on the way home. Little did she know this was only the beginning of troubled times for her and Jack.
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