Twelve years have passed since Wendy's and Ethan's plans for a future
together were shattered. From the time they were youngsters, they
were best friends all through school. By the time they were eighteen,
they were lovers, mapping out their careers, and planning their
marriage. Then Ethan betrayed Wendy so badly that she couldn't
forgive him. She left town, advising her friends and relatives that she
never wanted to hear Ethan's name or anything about him ever again.
She went on to have a successful career as a WEAL (a female version
of a Navy SEAL) and lives clear across the country. Though she has
made a few very brief stops back home, it's time for a longer visit, and
to make some hard decisions about the family home she now owns.
Ethan remained in his hometown of Bell Cove, though he never went
forward with his plans of becoming a vet. The whole course of his life
was changed by a foolish act on his part all those years ago. When he
sees Wendy on the ferry headed for Bell Cove, he's shocked, confused,
and angry. Though his own actions are what caused her to leave, he
can't forgive her for not giving him a chance to make things right, and
for throwing their love away. Their meeting is barely civil, with the old
hurt, and their old feelings bubbling beneath the surface. Ethan is even
angrier when he learns that Wendy chose to reject any news about him
and knows nothing about his life.
It seems that Ethan's and Wendy's relatives (along with many of the
townspeople) believe that it's time to put the past away, and for the
estranged couple to reconcile, the way they were surely destined to be.
Each meeting becomes a little less hostile, and eventually, they agree
to talk their whole situation out so that they can have closure. When
someone suggests they have a passionate week together, they find
themselves more than willing. And, hoo-yah, do they create the steam!
The old feelings have never died, and Ethan and Wendy create an
inferno together. But how can it be anything more than temporary?
I love to read a book that touches my emotions, and THE FOREVER CHRISTMAS TREE
delivers. I could feel Wendy's pain, Ethan's regret, and their love that
never died. The poignancy of the story of the Christmas tree they
planted together years ago is beautiful and symbolic. Small town life is
honestly and humorously portrayed, offering some smiles against a
heartbreaking story. One thing I really needed, though, was to have
more details of the incident that split Wendy and Ethan up. It is the
foundation of the story, and the information is sketchy, at best. I really
would have liked to know what their argument was about. What could
have driven Ethan to take the path he did?
So many Christmas stories only use the holiday as a casual
background, while here it is a central character. I love how it was an
ingrained part of the town and Ethan's business. The descriptions of
the churches and the activities are beautiful. It becomes clear that
Wendy and Ethan have both been living a half-life over the last dozen
years, and truly do belong together. The resolution is all I could have
hoped for, and THE FOREVER
CHRISTMAS TREE is full of holiday warmth, passion, emotion, and
is a very satisfying second chance romance.
The Christmas bells are chiming across the Outer Banks
town of Bell Cove, North Carolina, but there’s one local
‘grinch’ who’s not listening . . .
He’s got bad-boy looks and a Bah Humbug attitude, so when
the local paper asks the villagers to vote on the “Biggest
Local Grinch” as a fund-raising project, Ethan Rutledge
isn’t surprised to hear he’s made the ballot. He might own
the local Christmas Tree Farm, but the holiday hasn’t been
welcome in his home since Wendy Patterson left him
heart-broken twelve years ago.
But now Wendy’s back, fresh from a tour of duty as a female
Navy SEAL. She’s bold, beautiful, and has five Navy buddies
trailing after her—as if she needs a bodyguard! And what’s
all this about them wanting to start a treasure hunting
company right here in Bell Cove’s failing bell factory? Then
Wendy learns about how Ethan’s been nurturing the one thing
he has to remember her by: a gorgeous Norway Spruce tree.
Can the magic of Christmas and the spirit of the town help
rekindle the romance between two people who thought they’d
left love behind years ago?
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