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Blurb:
Maid in Manhattan meets Safe Haven in this Hallmark Christmas-style series starter, Maid at Christmas, featuring sweet romance and a cozy holiday atmosphere with just a touch of tension.
She wants a fresh start. He's looking for purpose. Can Christmas at the Lockwood Lodge show them the future is brighter than the past?
When Sonora Jackson searches for a way out of New Orleans—and away from her ex-fiancé—she ends up exchanging beignets for a broom when she accepts a position in housekeeping at the Lockwood Lodge. The picturesque mountains of Vermont, and the luxury of the lodge at Christmastime, is exactly what she needs, but she didn’t bargain for the handsome, bookish man she meets there.
Graham Hastings needs a vacation more than he needs the worry over selling his company, but the two come hand in hand as he arrives in Vermont for an exclusive retreat for others just like billionaires. Focused on relaxing and recovering from yet another failed relationship, he’s not ready for the near-instant attraction he feels for Sonora. At least she’s like him—rich—and not likely to date him for his money.
Set against a snow-drenched backdrop of Vermont mountains and the quaint small town of Middlebrook with its own set of quirky characters, love blooms even as the truth separates. Can Sonora admit her status as a low-income maid and explain why she lied? Will Graham see past her profession to the heart of her feelings for him? And will he be able to keep her safe when her past comes calling?
Maid at Christmas is the first book in the Lockwood Lodge sweet romance series. This small town holiday romance features tropes like billionaire romance, age gap, and he falls first. There is a slight suspense thread included in this book, but it does not overshadow the cozy Christmas setting or aspect of sweet romance.
She wants a fresh start. He's looking for purpose. Can Christmas at the Lockwood Lodge show them the future is brighter than the past?
When Sonora Jackson searches for a way out of New Orleans—and away from her ex-fiancé—she ends up exchanging beignets for a broom when she accepts a position in housekeeping at the Lockwood Lodge. The picturesque mountains of Vermont, and the luxury of the lodge at Christmastime, is exactly what she needs, but she didn’t bargain for the handsome, bookish man she meets there.
Graham Hastings needs a vacation more than he needs the worry over selling his company, but the two come hand in hand as he arrives in Vermont for an exclusive retreat for others just like billionaires. Focused on relaxing and recovering from yet another failed relationship, he’s not ready for the near-instant attraction he feels for Sonora. At least she’s like him—rich—and not likely to date him for his money.
Set against a snow-drenched backdrop of Vermont mountains and the quaint small town of Middlebrook with its own set of quirky characters, love blooms even as the truth separates. Can Sonora admit her status as a low-income maid and explain why she lied? Will Graham see past her profession to the heart of her feelings for him? And will he be able to keep her safe when her past comes calling?
Maid at Christmas is the first book in the Lockwood Lodge sweet romance series. This small town holiday romance features tropes like billionaire romance, age gap, and he falls first. There is a slight suspense thread included in this book, but it does not overshadow the cozy Christmas setting or aspect of sweet romance.
My Thoughts:
****
Bell Renshaw has written a delightfully descriptive novel set in Vermont at Christmas that had me truly questioning if it was really 85F outside while I was reading.
"Maid at Christmas" is truly a mixture of "Maid in Manhattan" and "Safe Haven" with even a bit of "White Christmas" (my favorite) thrown in for good measure. It even had some Bing Crosby (also a favorite)!
Sonora and Graham were both great characters. The author did a wonderful job with the "billionaire" trope. I wonder how Graham turned out so well when the odds were stacked against him being a complete jerk. Instead he was a great listener AND Graham loved to read! Sonora was also a reader and was constantly pulling a well-loved book from her pocket.
I especially loved the bit of suspense toward the end.
This was the first time I've read anything by this author but this book has me wanting to read more of her work. It appears that she has written books in a few different genres.
I fell in love with Lockwood Lodge and hope to return there soon! Maybe for Blythe's story???
"Maid at Christmas" is a clean, contemporary romance with a few very sweet kisses.
I am very excited and thankful to review this book today!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
definitely not the genre i run to at the town library but I do like reading Christmas stories. In December. :) Thanks for the great review!! i'm putting this on my "want to read at christmas time" list :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by and leaving a comment! I truly appreciate you :)
DeleteDid it read like a Hallmark movie? It sounds like one. I like reading Christmas stories, too, but a little closer to the holiday. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt was a bit more suspenseful than a Hallmark movie, especially towards the end. It was a good read :) Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
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