Monday, October 24, 2022

Review & Giveaway - - Dreaming of a Heart Lake Christmas

Dreaming of a Heart Lake Christmas
by Sarah Robinson
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: September 27, 2022
Reviewed by PJ



When sparks start flying, these total opposites discover Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year.

To raise enough money to start her own business, Nola Bennett needs to sell “The Castle,” her beloved grandmother’s historic house and get back home to the city. But Heart Lake’s most eligible bachelor is insisting she hang on to the property. He may be one of the hottest, grumpiest men she’s ever seen, but Nola has no time to pine over her high school crush.

All woodworker Tanner Dean wants for Christmas is some peace and quiet, but that’s not going to happen with infuriating, irresistible Nola Bennett back in town. How can he persuade her to keep The Castle out of the hands of greedy developers when sizzling attraction flares every time they’re together? And the more time he spends with Nola, the harder it becomes to picture a future without her—unless he can convince her, once and for all, that Heart Lake is exactly where she belongs.

Includes the bonus novella The Christmas Wish by Melinda Curtis!



PJ's Thoughts:


Sarah Robinson has created a charming, small-town romance that unrolled across my mind like one of my favorite Hallmark holiday movies. And it's set in the state where I grew up: Michigan! Romances set in Michigan are not exactly plentiful on the ground but it's a wonderful location for journeys to love, especially in winter when the snow, the frozen lakes, the outdoor activities, and small-town traditions are on full display. For me, it was like a walk down memory lane. 


Robinson populated the story with interesting characters, conflicting issues, and two of my favorite tropes: frenemies to lovers and best friend's brother. Nola and Tanner are on opposite sides of some pretty important issues in their lives with the sale of Nola's grandmother's house being at the center of their disagreements. Big city girl (Nola) comes home to sell grandmother's historic home to a developer who plans to turn it into condos for city vacationers. Local boy (Tanner) fears it will ruin the heart of his small town forever. Best girlfriends support Nola while also harboring the same fear. Will Nola remember why she loved Heart Lake so much? Will she realize her dream isn't so much about proving herself in the big city as it is finding happiness, career satisfaction, and love within herself? Will Tanner figure out that not all change is bad and that compromise can be a good thing? Will being snowed in together force both of them to confront the feelings they've hidden since they were teens? Find the answers to these burning questions and more in Dreaming of a Heart Lake Christmas.  


I enjoyed my visit to Sarah Robinson's Heart Lake and am looking forward to returning for more stories in this new series. If you enjoy feel-good, small-town romances with humor, heart, mild conflict, character growth, an intriguing secondary cast, and heart-tugging happy endings, give Dreaming of a Heart Lake Christmas a try. Robinson's next Heart Lake book is scheduled to be released in the summer of 2023. I'm eager to discover which character will be taking the lead and what the author has in store for them. 



Have you read any romances that are set in your home state?


What's your preference for holiday romance locations, a snowy winter wonderland or a tropical beach getaway?


One person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, October 26 will receive a print copy of Dreaming of a Heart Lake Christmas.


*U.S. only

*Must be 18

*Void where prohibited


33 comments:

  1. Winter Wonderland. Sounds like an enjoyable read. Too bad I have to wait so long.

    ReplyDelete
  2. No, I haven't read any romances that are set in my home state. I prefer a winter wonderland for a holiday romance location. It doesn't seem like the holidays without snow.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have read books that are about my home city and state in Chicago, Illinois. It's always fun to read a story about where you live. I love Christmas stories and I can read them all year long. Thanks for your great generosity. Linda May

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've read several romances set in Chicago. And enjoyed them all!

      Delete
  4. I love a good snowy winter romance so i'm excited to check this out. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I haven't read any in my home State. I love the snow bound or any with snow we don't get snow here in Southern California where I'm at.. This sounds good, thanks for the review.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Is California your home state? If so, I have several titles I can recommend!

      Delete
    2. Yes it is, We live here now. Thanks

      Delete
    3. For books set in California, I recommend Jill Shalvis, Susan Mallery, Julie Anne Long's Hellcat Canyon series, and Eva Moore. All are contemporary romance or women's fiction.

      Delete
    4. Oh yes I love Jill Shalvis books thank you for the rest of them

      Delete
  6. Patricia Bennett BarberOctober 24, 2022 at 10:39 AM

    I've never read a romance book from my home state of Florida. I love Christmas books and when it's with snow.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ooh, I have lots of titles I can recommend! Breezie Bennett wrote two contemporary romance series set in Miami. Search her name in KU. Roxanne St. Claire's Barefoot Bay (and a couple spinoff) series are set on the west coast of Florida, Maggie Miller's Blackbird Beach series is set on Florida's Gulf Coast, Chanel Cleeton's Last Train to Key West (historical fiction) is set in the Keys, Leigh Duncan's Sugar Sand Beach series (women's fiction) is set in the Florida Panhandle, Cecilia Scott's Sweeney House series is set in Cocoa Beach, and Hope Holloway has two series set in Florida, Coconut Key (in the Keys) and Shellseeker Beach (on Sanibel Island).

      Delete
  7. Yes I’ve read romance stories from my home state of Texas.

    This book sounds really good. Thanks for the chance to win.

    ReplyDelete
  8. There haven't been many romances set in New Jersey - tho I think it has a lot of wonderful places that would be great settings. This time of year I do like the Christmas stories.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Did you see last week's review of Witchful Thinking? It's set on the Jersey shore.

      Delete
  9. I've read a few romances set in Georgia, most of them are summer romances. I definitely prefer a snowy winter wonderland holiday romance. I wish for snow every year and seldom get it! Thanks for the chance to read about it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know I've read romances set in Georgia but I can't think of any right now. Hmmm...I feel rabbit hole research coming on! LOL

      Delete
  10. I prefer Christmas stories which are in wintery settings. I live in Texas, and yes I have read romances set in Texas. In Texas, winter is generally crunchy and brown not white and pristine. But, in reality, to me, snow is best in beer commercials with big horses prancing by or on beautiful glittery holiday cards. I would prefer if it never touches my body and I sure as heck do not plan to ever drive in it. I have loved Cindy Kirk's stories about Good Hope Wisconsin with snow and cold and all the lovely people there. But, I think I would be become a popsicle if I lived there. If I had my druthers, my winters would be 70 degrees every day and 55 every night. With climate change, I may get my wish. Y'all take care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was born in Michigan and lived there for 21 years. I loved snow as a kid - and we got plenty - but was happy to escape once I had to drive myself to work in the stuff.

      Delete
  11. I like stories set in Chicago . I like when they bring up.different locations and it brings up.memories of being there.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I don't read books set in my home state because the details are almost always incorrect...I LOVE books set in other states and like snowy stories since they leave so much room for story lines...this one sounds right up my alley...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Christmas books with a snowy setting is perfect. Where I live in NM there is snow and mountains so ideal locale for a lovely romance.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I've read lots of books set in Texas, it's one of my favorite settings to read about. And for holiday romances I like snowy, winter wonderland settings

    ReplyDelete
  15. I have read books from my state but for the life of me cannot think of which ones. I prefer the winter wonderland snowy settings. PattyB43Coral

    ReplyDelete
  16. I enjoy winter snowy settings the best rita.navarre@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I look for books set where home happens to be. I grew up in Northern New York and have found romance books both historical and contemporary set in the Adirondack area. We live in Tennessee now and I have found quite a few books set in our area of the state. It is always nice to read something set in an area you are familiar with.
    I am someone who loves the mountains. My preference has always been a snowy cabin. Preferably one in the woods on the bank of a small mountain lake.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I have read romance stories set in my state.

    Denise

    ReplyDelete
  19. I am sure I must have read books from my state. I love the winter, snowy background of a book. Cathie P.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi PJ. Great review. I am a fan of small town romances and believe the winter ones should be in a winter setting! I've read many books set in NY State!

    ReplyDelete
  21. haven't read any set in my state! Snowy for Christmas books. This one sounds great. Thanks for the chance.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Yes, I have read books set in my home state of Wisconsin. Harlequin had a Tyler, Wisconsin series. Debbie Macomber set a book in Door County/ Sturgeon Bay. Another Harlequin author had a serial killer trilogy set in Madison. Fiona Lowe had a bridal venue/ event series set in a fake Wisconsin town.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Above comment was mine too.
    I prefer Wi yet scenes for winter stories. Celebrating Christmas in Florida is not the same as In Wisconsin.

    ReplyDelete