Julia Winston's been putting her life on hold for everyone else around her. With her parents both deceased, her life has become empty. At a book club, she writes down a bucket list for the year. Julia knows she's not really going to achieve her goals, but she can't be the only person without a goal. Plus she needs to come out of her comfort zone.

Julia is currently renting out the upstairs of her house to her friend's devastatingly handsome brother, Jamie. She knows that a librarian isn't his type, but a girl can dream. Julia can barely hold a conversation with him without blushing, but she can't go back on her decision now. Hopefully, all their encounters won't be so awkward.

When she notices two young brothers in the library day after day, Julia starts to worry about them. Julia gives them a ride home one night when she spies them walking alone after the library closed. She discovers their mother left them three days ago and hasn't returned. Clint, the elder brother at age eight, has been doing his best, but there's no heat in their place. Julia calls Child Services against Clint's wishes. This close to the holidays, it's hard getting someone who will take in the brothers. Not only will they have to move, but they will have to be split apart. Julia's heart breaks when she hears this news and offers the boys a home with her. Clint is furious at Julia for ruining his home. It's a struggle to get Clint and Davy to trust her again, but Julia manages it with the help of her neighbor.

One night, Jamie hears the chaos downstairs and goes to investigate. He finds Julia at her wit's end and stays to help out. From that moment, things take a turn. They make a plan for Thanksgiving, which involves Jamie's family. Their holiday isn't the same, but they forget about their family troubles for just a bit. As Christmas grows closer, Julia and the boys cross off their holiday wishes: baking cookies, going to the festival, getting a tree, and decorating the house. Jamie helps out with most of them. In fact, he spotted Julia's bucket list for the year and unbeknownst to her, he's determined to help her achieve her goals. This is going to be a Christmas to remember—for all of them. Julia is happy to make a difference in these boys' lives and is grateful to Jamie for all of his help with their adventures. Meanwhile, Jamie is learning to like having a family to come home to at night. Could this be the start of something magical?

RaeAnne Thayne's two series crossover in this Christmas story, merging Haven Point with Hope's Crossing. Although this book is a stand-alone, reading the other books help enhance the story when favorite characters appear. Sugar Pine Trail is a bittersweet story that will tug at your heartstrings. All of the characters have known heartache and each of them shines while coming together. The two main characters start out as stereotypes with Julia the librarian and Jamie the sexy pilot, but the characters break out of their molds quickly enough. They both learn to share their lives, but more than that, they balance each other out. Clint and Davy steal scenes in the book with their excitement about the holidays and overall cuteness. It's hard not to become attached to them. The message about making a difference in other's lives come across beautifully. It's a wonderful sentiment for all year round, not just the holiday season. A charming holiday story that's perfect to read by the fire with a mug of hot chocolate.