Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Hale (Summer at Firefly Beach) brings the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains alive in this heartwarming Christmas romance. Scarlett Bailey travels to her grandmother's mountainside White Oaks Inn to spend Christmas with relatives. The holiday promises to be bittersweet, as the family has decided it's time to sell the failing inn. Things look up when a local from nearby Silver Falls gives Scarlett a business card for respected developer Charlie Bryant, who Scarlett hopes might buy the inn and preserve its spirit. The pair meet in person when Scarlett's truck gets stuck in the snow and Charlie comes to her aid. Even as he helps her out, he's oddly cold to Scarlett, though Scarlett now remembers that they once met as teenagers when they shared a single kiss. Despite Charlie's aloof demeanor, Scarlett sees his underlying kindness, and his walls come down when he opens up about his painful past. As Scarlett cajoles him into joining her family's Christmas festivities and the attraction between them builds, Scarlett hopes to find ways to help Charlie overcome his past personal regrets and save the inn in the process. Authentic, dimensional characters enhance the emotionally charged love story. Fast-paced and brimming with holiday spirit, this is sure to please. Agent: Claire Bord, Bookouture. (Sept.)
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