Review - - Bring Me Home for Christmas

Bring Me Home for Christmas
By Robyn Carr
Publisher: Mira
Release Date:  October 25, 2011

Three years ago, Denny Cutler broke Becca Timm's heart when he re-enlisted in the Marines and ended their relationship before shipping out for Afghanistan.  Reeling from the death of his mother, Denny convinced himself he was doing what was best for Becca, who was still in college.  By the time he came home two years later, he had realized his error but it was too late.  Becca had moved on...or so she said.  Denny left San Diego and settled in Virgin River, a small mountain community in the northern California mountains.  In the past year, he's put down roots, found a job that fulfills him and made good friends he considers his extended family.  But he hasn't forgotten the girl he let get away.

Becca Timm is at a crossroads.  The private school where she's been teaching has been closed and the wealthy law student she's been dating for the past year is talking about engagement rings.  As Christmas approaches, there are major life decisions to be made but Becca can't seem to take that final step forward.  She may have told everyone that she's over Denny but the truth is she still has feelings for him.  She decides that the only way to put those feelings firmly in the past is to tag along with her twin brother (Denny's friend and fellow ex-Marine) to their "guy's week" of fishing and hunting in the "backwoods" town of Virgin River, see Denny and confirm that she made the right decision in not giving him a second chance.

At first, that's exactly the conclusion she reaches.  She and Denny can't seem to be in the same room without arguing and she can't believe he's made the decision to spend his life in what she considers a hick town in the middle of nowhere.  She's sure she could never leave her beloved beach and all the city has to offer.  But when Becca injures her ankle, forcing her to stay in Virgin River beyond the planned week, things begin to change. She begins to realize how much Denny has grown up in the past three years and remembers why she once hoped to spend her life with this man.  And, as she comes to know the people of Virgin River, she begins to wonder if perhaps she's been looking for her happiness in the wrong place.  Only time will tell if the magic of a Virgin River Christmas will open her eyes to the man, and town, that are perfect for this city girl.

Bring Me Home for Christmas is another heartwarming tale from Robyn Carr's Virgin River.  While I've enjoyed some of the books in this long-running series more than others, I never tire of visiting with the warm-hearted people of Virgin River and the surrounding area and am already looking forward to returning December 27th for Hidden Summit. 

If you're looking for a heartwarming, small town, second chance romance to put you in the holiday spirit, I recommend curling up with a copy of Bring Me Home for Christmas.

What holiday romances are you looking forward to reading?  Have you visited Virgin River yet?  Do you have a favorite book - or character - in the series?
~PJ