A woman expecting to spend the holidays alone finds warmth in the iciest man she knows in this steamy and charming later-in-life romance by New York Times bestselling author Jane Porter.
It’s been five years since Andi McDermott lost her husband, and she’s finally starting to feel like herself again, ready to live fully—she’s even started dating again. But when her holiday plans with her stepson and his fiancée fall through, she refuses to spend another Christmas alone while everyone is celebrating with their families. Impulsively, she decides to go up to her cabin in Lake Arrowhead, a place she used to love to visit but hadn’t gone to in years, not since the feud started between her husband and their nearest neighbor.
Andi starts to rethink her decision when being alone at the cabin proves to be more challenging than she expected—a heavy snowstorm hits the area, and Andi finds herself trapped there with no one to help except for her neighbor, Wolf Enders. A military vet who lives full-time on Lake Arrowhead, Wolf is as grumpy and intimidating as Andi remembers. But he’s also unexpectedly kind and uncomfortably sexy—his presence reminds Andi that she may be older, but her body still works perfectly fine, thank you very much. But can this good girl tame this sexy beast of a man, and will this snowy fling turn into a love of a lifetime?
Review:
Ohmygoodnessthisbook. Romances with 50-something MCs are my new favorite thing! Set them (at least partially) at Christmastime, and I’m a goner <3
I loved Andi and Wolf’s book. It’s clear from the start–and throughout the story–that in many ways they are true opposites, but in all the ways that count they’re absolutely perfect for each other. (Related side note: youngest son’s wedding toast is the. Best. Ever. Hands down, zero contest! Somehow it had me both snort laughing and tearing up.)
Ms Porter’s books give me hope that what I’ve been saying for years might actually be true–it’s never to late to start over, and finding love at any age and after any previous disaster(s) can happen! I loved that Andi had been trying to date–even though it was hard and even though she wasn’t having a lot of luck–and that she stood up for herself, both with romantic partners and antagonistic neighbors (especially with antagonistic neighbors who become romantic partners).
I loved, loved, loved how Wolf was (eventually) there for his family, and even though it is his bullheaded determination to do right for them that leads to the blackest of black moments in their romance, he (again, EVENTUALLY) manages to get his head out of his butt when it matters the most and find an HEA with Andi. They both had a lot of work to do to get to where a happily-ever-after was actually possible for them, but they did it, and OMG it was glorious.
Just a warning, though–have tissues handy. The last quarter or so of this book is tough to read at times and I am so, so glad I didn’t have any witnesses while I got through it! It makes the ending all the sweeter, though, so…worth it 🙂
Though many of the characters from the first book in the series ( Flirting with Fifty ) play roles here, it can absolutely be read as a standalone. But if you were there when Paige found Andi crying in the first book, then everything here will hit just a little bit sweeter when you read it, so there’s that 😉
Anxiously awaiting more in this series, Jane Porter! <3
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.