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.