Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Review & Giveaway - - Falling in Love on Willow Creek

Falling in Love on Willow Creek
by Debbie Mason
Highland Falls - Book 3
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: June 29, 2021
Reviewed by PJ




Single mom-to-be Sadie Gray will do anything to find her younger brother before the law catches up with him. Even if it means returning home to the small town of Highland Falls with a baby due any moment. But when that moment comes sooner than expected, and Sadie finds herself stranded on the top of a mountain—in labor--she couldn’t be more grateful for the park ranger who finds her and helps deliver her daughter safely. Soon they’ve formed a tight friendship, and while he may be hinting at more, Sadie isn’t planning to stick around after she finds her brother.


FBI agent Chase Roberts wasn’t looking for love when he agreed to go undercover as a park ranger to find an on-the-run informant. But he can’t help being drawn to beautiful, warm-hearted Sadie and her sweet baby daughter. He’s always longed to put down roots and start a family. But how can he hope to keep Sadie’s trust when she finds out that his job is to arrest the brother she’s been looking for? 

PJ's Thoughts:

When I finished reading Debbie Mason's Christmas, Colorado series, I didn't know how she was going to top it. But then she introduced readers to Harmony Harbor and I was completely immersed into the town, the families, and the ghostly thread that ran through the series. I was so sad to say goodbye to those characters and, once again, was certain her next series would be good but would be unable to replace the Gallagher and DiRossi families in my affections. And then along came Highland Falls and my heart expanded to welcome more feel-good stories and the heart-stealing characters who bring them to life.

After reading an advance copy of this book a couple months ago, I had planned to skim it once again over the weekend before writing a review. I hadn't even reached the end of the first chapter before these characters pulled me right back into their story and I ended up re-reading the entire book for a second time. Every single word. Mason's balance of romance, suspense, hilarious comedy, and heartfelt emotion kept me eagerly turning pages from beginning to end. Her descriptions of Highland Falls brought the small mountain to life and have pretty much convinced me that if I hop into my car and drive a couple hours west I'll be right there with my favorite Highland Falls residents in all their nosy, supportive, sometimes quirky, and frequently hilarious small-town glory. I've fallen for them all, enjoy catching up with them in each book, and eagerly welcome all new arrivals to town. 

Sadie and Chase a/k/a Michael have secured their place as one of my favorite Mason couples. I fell hard for Michael in the first chapter, almost as hard as he fell for Sadie and her newborn daughter. My heart melted over his special bond with the baby and his determination to keep both Sadie and her daughter safe, even if he had to bend a few of his sacred rules to do so. My heart ached for Sadie as she struggled to find her footing as a single mom with a colicky baby while dealing with her scumbag ex, trying to keep her grandmother out of bankruptcy, trying to track down her on-the-run younger brother, staying one step ahead of the bad guys, and falling for the man who is lying to her about who he really is. That's a lot to handle, but handle it she does. I really enjoyed the evolution of her character, the inner strength she discovered, the support she found through her female friendships, and, how she handled her relationship with Michael after his true purpose for being in Highland Falls was revealed. 

As with the first two books in the series, the supporting cast is vast, vividly depicted, and integral to the lead couple's story. I absolutely adored Finn, the kleptomaniac pooch who forms an immediate bond with Sadie's daughter and I can't wait to find out what Mason has in store for potential new couples in future books. Falling in Love on Willow Creek can be read as a standalone but because key characters and past events from the first two books are prominently featured in book three I suggest reading the books in order beginning with Summer on Honeysuckle Ridge, followed by Christmas on Reindeer Road, and then Falling in Love on Willow Creek.  

But the story doesn't end there! There's a bonus novella, A Wedding On Honeysuckle Ridge, included at the end of Falling in Love on Willow Creek that is an absolute delight. There are reluctant brides, over-zealous groomzillas, matchmaking grandmothers, trouble-making grandfathers, adorable babies, a six-year-old romance advisor, and last, but definitely not least, a sweetly sentimental but hilariously inept marriage proposal that still has me laughing. 

I enthusiastically recommend adding Falling in Love on Willow Creek to your summer reading list. 


Debbie Mason is one of the authors I turn to when I'm looking for a good comfort read that tickles my funny bone and touches my heart. What author fills that need for you?

Six-year-old Teddy Buchanan is one of my all-time favorite children in fiction. I adore that kid! Do you have a favorite fictional child?

One person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, June 30 will receive a print copy of Falling in Love on Willow Creek

*Must be 18
*U.S. only
*Void where prohibited





15 comments:

  1. My favorite fictional child is Anne, from Anne of Green Gables. An author whose books make me feel better is Debbie Macomber, Jennifer Ryan and Jill Shalvis.

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  2. 2 favorite children - brother in The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros and a little boy who had a friend who was allergic to bees and he saved his life. Deb Macomber and Robyn Carr always deliver a feel good read to me.

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  3. I have enjoyed several of the children from the Cindy Kirk - Good Hope series. She does children very well and that is something I like in a story.

    Thanks for the review. I am a Debbie Mason fan too.

    Hope everyone is well and safe and happy.

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  4. I love when you enjoy a book so much you immediately read it again. I discovered Debbie Mason last year and read all her books. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of her book.

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  5. Sherryl Woods is a nice warm, comfy read for me.

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  6. I love kids and animals as supporting characters - they can often show the good or bad aspects of others.

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  7. I don't have a favorite but feel like they add another layer to each story they are in. Feel good authors are early Kristan Higgins and any Jennifer Crusie book.

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  8. I love Debbie's books and this sounds like another winner! Thanks for the chance to win.

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  9. While I love Debbie's books, I read Janna MacGregor as a go-to.

    denise

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  10. I love Debbie's books and I enjoy children in books, but I can't think of a favorite

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  11. Debbie's books are always enjoyable. I read books by Viola Shipman. Children in books are wonderful and give me hope.

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  12. I love her books! I agree with you about Teddy. This downloaded on my kindle and I plan to read this weekend.

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  13. I like Jill Shalvis and Karen Hawkins and Susan Mallery's sense of humor.

    I remember a book with a set of twins that set their mom up to meet a guy they liked. I believe it was called Jingle All the Way by Nora Roberts.

    Thanks for the giveaway. I've only recently discovered Debbie's books.

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  14. I find that Jill Shalvis and Susan Mallery are some of the authors that provide me comfort but always have good stories, believable characters, & laughs!

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  15. Debbie Mason always does it for me also. Her books are such a breathe of fresh air.
    No real favorite fictional child. Those that add much to the story without being just the cute kid are what I like.

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