The Inn at Blue Hollow Falls
By Donna Kauffman
Publisher: Kensington / Zebra
Release Date: October 31, 2017
Reviewed by Janga
Stevie Franklin is using her vacation
time from her job at the U. S. Botanic Garden in Washington, D. C., to visit
Blue Hollow Falls, Virginia, to help Sunny Goodwin, her best friend and former
colleague, start her new business in the historic greenhouse she inherited (Blue Hollow Falls). But when frozen
pipes at Sawyer’s home lead Sawyer and Sunny to seek refuge with Addie Pearl,
Stevie ends up at the local inn, owned and operated by Noah Tyler, who is the
embodiment of Sunny’s promise that hot lumberjack-types can be found in Blue
Hollow Falls.
Noah, a native of Ohio, moved to
Virginia to attend William and Mary and became so captivated by the region that
he never left. When he found the old mill at Blue Hollow Falls and began
renovating it, he knew he had found his place. Two and a half years out of a
long-term relationship that ended without drama, he is ready to find someone
special. Stevie may be just the person for whom he is looking. He just needs to
convince her of that.
Kauffman’s Christmas novella is sweet,
funny, and filled with good cheer all around. Stevie was a likable character as
Sunny’s bestie in Blue Hollow Falls, and she is even more heart-winning as the
heroine in this story. And I adored Noah, a beta hero extraordinaire. How can a
romance reader resist a hunky hero who has a sense of humor, loves his extended
family, sings “Winter Wonderland” without embarrassment, and can cook when he
needs to do so? Stevie and Noah are also winners as a couple. They give new—and
literal—meaning to the term “striking sparks off each other.” Moreover, they
are essentially the same kind of person, a fact that Stevie recognizes: “He was
a man who thought about things, who lived his life with purpose, was forward
looking, and embraced his world with passion. She did the same thing.” It was
easy to believe in them and to root for their HEA,
There are other things I loved about the
story, including, but not limited to, the snow storm (which makes for a nice
twist on a “cabin romance”), the setting (always a strong point with Kauffman),
and glimpses of Sunny and Sawyer’s HEA in progress. If you are looking for adventure,
action, and angst, this novella is not for you. But if you like
character-driven tales with humor, heart, and a bit of heat, I predict you will
enjoy this holiday novella. It has given me one more reason to expect the Blue
Hollow Falls series to become a favorite. I have already starred the release
date of Bluestone & Vine (June
26, 2018) on my book calendar and am eagerly anticipating Seth’s story.
I love Donna Kauffman's books. I have not read this yet but it is on my list to read.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your good recommendation
ReplyDeleteI too love Donna Kauffman's book and especially this latest series - Blue Hollow Falls. Her descriptions of the area is vivid & amazing, making me easily picture it in my head.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good read
ReplyDelete