THE DECEMBER MARKET is such a lovely story. RaeAnne Thayne does it again and again, delivering a sweet, warm Christmas romance that just tugs on your heartstrings and stays with you long after it’s done. I enjoyed the pace of the wonderful story. When single dad, neighbor, and assistant fire chief, Rafe Arredondo, falls and breaks his arm during a rooftop rescue, Amanda does the neighborly thing and takes some meals to his house. He has been her neighbor for over a month and she hasn't welcomed him yet so this is the perfect way. I felt that the story moved along just right.
THE DECEMBER MARKET is only the eighth book I have read of RaeAnne Thayne’s but after reading it, I’m excited to search out her other books and read all of those too. Amanda Taylor has a hard time getting through the holiday season because of a tragedy that happened around Christmas. Rafe can see the pain in Amanda's eyes but isn't sure how he can help her. RaeAnne Thayne has a way of pulling you right in and getting you emotionally invested in the characters' lives. My heart was breaking for Rafe and Amanda and all that they had been through. I was cheering for Amanda and Rafe and at the same time, giggling out loud with the comments they made at each other.
RaeAnne Thayne is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Her writing is so warm and her characters are all believable. Once you start reading, you aren’t going to be able to stop. A family coming together at Christmas time...what more could you ask for? Rafe and Amanda both have walls up around their hearts and aren't looking to fall in love, but you know how that goes right? I thought I knew how THE DECEMBER MARKET was going to end but I sure was wrong! I’m looking forward to reading more by this wonderful and heart-tugging author!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Fresh Fiction. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The magic of Christmas—and a second shot at romance—is in the air in Shelter Springs this holiday season…
Amanda Taylor isn’t a fan of Christmas, but as the owner of a local soap shop, ignoring the holiday season isn’t an option. To forget the pain of Christmases past, Amanda focuses on making the season bright for her customers at the Shelter Springs Holiday Giving Market. But when her beloved grandmother, Birdie, starts dating the dashing new resident of the Shelter Inn retirement community, Amanda smells trouble. Fortunately, Rafe Arredondo, the grandson of Birdie’s charming suitor, is equally dubious of the match. Unfortunately, he's just as fiery as his grandfather—and Amanda has zero interest in getting burned.
As a single father, paramedic and assistant fire chief, Rafe has more than enough on his plate. Sure, he and Amanda share a common goal in keeping their grandparents apart. Still, that doesn’t mean he should allow himself to feel as drawn to her as he does. Even if she is great with his young son. Even if she does help the burden of his own painful past feel a little lighter… But when their paths keep crossing at the holiday market, it starts to feel like fate, prompting them both to wonder if taking a chance on love might gift them everything they’ve been wishing for.