"Delightful Christmas trilogy"
Reviewed by Sandra Wurman
Posted August 30, 2021
Romance Contemporary | Romance Holiday
HOLIDAY EVER AFTER is three seasonal stories wrapped up in a delightful book about following your heart. Jill Shalvis took some short stories, a couple of novellas and put together an immensely satisfying trilogy about love, loss and second chances. All three center on unforgettable characters that make you think you have just read an important novel. Jill Shalvis creates some memorable folk and in HOLIDAY EVER AFTER she introduces some of her best.
First up is "One Snowy Night." Confession time. As I read this I kept thinking I know these characters. So upon looking it up found I had read and reviewed it five years ago. Loved it then and now. It lost none of its luster which is the sign of a great Christmas love story. The stars of this story are Rory, Max and Max’s Doberman, Carl. Short version: Rory, Max and Carl get sort of stranded in a blizzard in his truck. All on their way to spend Christmas with their families. Rory needs this time with her family to try to rediscover her role in it.
So as I began reading "Holiday Wishes" I wondered if this too wasn’t a repeat for me and it was. As part of the Heartbreaker series I read and reviewed this story back in 2019. Sean has been charged with planning his brother Finn’s wedding. Sean has a reputation for screwing things up. This is his chance to prove himself. The bachelor party is to be at a BBB owned and operated by none other than one of Sean’s ex-girlfriends Charlotte. Sean had walked away from any permanent involvement with Lotti when they were teenagers. Cut ties totally basically breaking Lotti’s heart.
Story three "Mistletoe in Paradise" was originally published as a novella part of the Wildstone series in 2020. Guessed I missed it then but am so happy to have a chance to read it as part of this trilogy of Christmas stories.
"Mistletoe In Paradise" is a grand way to end this trilogy. James, his brother Jason and Hannah had developed a mutually satisfying friendship while in their teens. Boating on Christmas vacation on Hannah’s father's boat gave the three of them an opportunity to take chances, try new things while enjoying each other’s company. Hannah’s family life was strange, to put it mildly. Many would think of Hannah as the adult in her family group. That never changed. Jason’s death hit hard. James took over his role in the family as best he could. But James had ideas for his future. Hannah dove headfirst into her work. Being together for this short vacation aboard her dad’s boat would be good for both James and Hannah. They need the time away from work to gather their thoughts and give some time to wind down and see what their futures hold. Important is whether they can fit each other into their futures.
There is a running theme in the three stories Jill Shalvis includes in her Christmas trilogy HOLIDAY EVER AFTER and that is the mistakes of youth. Things that seem so important and vital when you are young somehow have the power to change the trajectory of our lives. And in these three tales just the simple act of walking away, turning your back on perhaps something worth holding onto changes these characters' lives. In the stories, the author seems to be giving them one more chance to get it right.
Check out HOLIDAY EVER AFTER for a heartwarming book by Jill Shalvis filled with her signature humor and wondrous characters.
SUMMARY
Three fan-favorite Jill Shalvis novellas are together for the first time in this holiday anthology!
One Snowy Night
It’s Christmas Eve and Rory Andrews is desperate to get home to her family. Problem is, her only ride to Lake Tahoe comes in the form of the annoyingly handsome Max Stranton, her long-time crush, and his big, goofy, lovable dog. A long road trip in a massive blizzard might be just what they need to face their past…and one steamy, snowy night is all it takes to bring Max and Rory together at last.
Holiday Wishes
When Sean O’Riley shows up for his older brother’s bachelor weekend, the last person he expects to see is Lotti Hartford, the woman he lost his virginity to a decade ago. As the weekend continues, Sean realizes he wants to leave his hook-up life behind, but can he convince Lotti to open her heart to him again?
Mistletoe in Paradise
Years after their secret fling ended, Hannah isn’t eager to see James during their families’ annual joint holiday-themed yacht adventure. But when they’re the only people who show up, James and Hannah are stuck together on the high seas for days. As the former lovers try to make the best of the Christmas snafu, they soon realize the best things in life can’t be planned, and sometimes love is sweeter the second time around.
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