on Nov. 17, 2015
Pages: 240
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Also in this series: A Cold Creek Christmas Surprise, The Christmas Ranch, The Holiday Gift, The Rancher's Christmas Song
Celeste Nichols has always preferred to keep to herself in her hometown of Pine Gulch, Idaho…until she becomes an instant celebrity! When one of her children's stories becomes a major success, she's suddenly the talk of the town. Celeste should be gloriously happy…but something, someone, special is still missing from her life. Could the return of her childhood crush be the answer?
Flynn Delaney has moved back home for his daughter's sake. Yet all the millionaire's resources can't help the little girl heal from the tragic loss of her mother. Shy librarian Celeste and her stories do hold some indefinable magic, though. Flynn came home looking for support—can he find that, and true love, in the one who got away?
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
A Cold Creek Christmas Story is a sweet, heartwarming romance that follows last year’s The Christmas Ranch. It’s a very quick read, but charming and warm.
Shy librarian and children’s book writer Celeste Nichols never expected her Christmas story about a reindeer named Sparkle to become a national bestseller, let alone be offered a movie contract, and she’s not really comfortable with the fame. Celeste is happiest living a quiet life — although she loves her job as a children’s librarian, reading and sharing crafts with the children. She’s not expecting her teenage crush, Flynn Delany, to show up in her library with his traumatized daughter in tow, but her heart goes out to the little girl, who turns out to be quite a Sparkle fan.
Flynn is just here to clean out his grandmother’s house in Pine Gulch, but he can’t deny the attraction that Celeste holds for his daughter — and for him. The child of a movie star and the ex-husband of another, he has a deep aversion to Hollywood and to anything to do with acting or movies, especially after what his daughter has been through. (No, I’m not going to tell you what it was.) Olivia is still healing, and as it turns out, Celeste has more in common with Olivia than Flynn knows. The growing bond between Celeste and Olivia is really sweet, and the attraction between Celeste and Flynn is palpable. Of course there’s conflict eventually, but it works out pretty easily (as these things go.)
There’s plenty of Christmassy spirit throughout, thanks to the Christmas Ranch that Celeste’s family puts on each year. And there’s a special feel-good Christmas moment toward the end. In short, if what you want this season is a sweet Christmas romance, A Cold Creek Christmas Story is a good bet.
Quinn @ Quinn's Book Nook
I’ve never read RaeAnne Thayne but I’ve heard really good things. And I am seriously craving Christmas stories this year. Also, a librarian as the heroine. I have to give this a try.
Quinn @ Quinn’s Book Nook recently posted…Top Ten Backlist Titles on My TBR
Lark_Bookwyrm
It’s charming and a very quick read.
Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library
My review for this one comes out tomorrow and I think we had very similar feelings. Thayne has some of my favorite Christmas stories and I absolutely loved Celeste and Olivia. Great review!
Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library recently posted…Dead to the Last Drop – Blog Tour Review + Giveaway
Lark_Bookwyrm
Thanks, Katherine! I enjoyed your review, too!
Ro
I really enjoy Christmas romance stories and this one sounds good. Great review!
Lark_Bookwyrm
It’s a sweet, relatively short novel but filled with holiday spirit. 🙂
Literary Feline
This was my first Christmas read of the season and I just loved it. I haven’t yet read anything else by RaeAnne Thayne, and look forward to reading more by her.
Literary Feline recently posted…Bookish Thoughts: A Cold Creek Christmas Story by RaeAnne Thayne
Lark_Bookwyrm
She’s probably my favorite “clean” romance writer. (I hate that term, but you know what I mean.) Her books are heartwarming comfort reads, and she develops the emotional/romantic attraction well.