REVIEW: Her Holiday Man by Shannon Stacey

In Her Holiday Man by Shannon Stacey, Will Broughton is hoping his decision to move back home after years of drifting around from place to place and job to job is the right one. He’s been running from the memories his hometown in New Hampshire holds. Memories of the wife and unborn daughter he lost when they perished in a car accident. Will wants to help support his mom through the first holiday season since his father passed away and knows they’ll both be emotional but they’ll muddle through. He never imagined he’d soon fall for his mother’s neighbor, Christina Forrester, and become attached to her son Nathaniel. Will’s heart wants to see where things lead with Christina but his head is telling him he would be devastated if he somehow lost her. All he can think about is that he can’t go through that pain ever again.

‘For the first time, Will wished he didn’t feel so broken inside. Christina tempted him in ways that went beyond the physical attraction, but he was never going back to the hell he’d suffered losing Emily.’

Christina Forrester’s life is a far cry from where she was even just a few years ago. No more society parties, housekeepers, personal chefs, or beauty treatments. Nope, this now-single mother is having to fend for herself and her son Nathaniel since they left her ex-husband after he went to jail for financial embezzlement. Christina is blessed to have been befriended by lovely widow Mrs. Broughton, her neighbor now, who patiently watches Nathaniel after school until Christina gets out of work. When she meets Mrs. Broughton’s son Will as she picks up Nathaniel one afternoon, she’s surprised to feel the spark of attraction for the first time in years. But Will is just the kind of man she needs to steer clear of; one who will sweep in and take care of everything for her. Christina may want to get to know the handsome guy better, but she’s not sure if she can give up her new found freedom.

“I’m not the man you need, Christina.”
“I don’t need any man at all, but right now you’re the man that I want.”

Leave it to Shannon Stacey to make my heart melt with this sweet and tender holiday romance. Who doesn’t love a story set in a cozy, wintery New England town? Especially one so filled with genuine people whose hearts are on the mend during such a magical season.

Author Shannon Stacey writes amazing small town stories with authentic-feeling plots and details. Her Holiday Man is a shining example of this. I loved that the storyline depicted just how close-knit Mrs. Broughton’s neighborhood was, to the point that she befriended Christina and helped her find a home to rent right across from her. The connection the two ladies had was something I enjoyed very much, watching them confide their worries and hopes to each other. And I definitely got a kick out of Christina’s son Nathaniel, especially when Will really began spending time with him. Some of the scenes were so much fun, like building a couch cushion fort in the living room, while some were just so sweet, like Nathaniel’s first Christmas parade and fireworks.

I thought it was pretty easy to connect emotionally with both Christina and Will. They both went through very traumatic experiences but handled them quite differently. I could understand Christina wanting to learn to do things by herself and not wanting to rely completely on a man ever again. I celebrated along with her whenever she overcame a new obstacle and was so knocked out at how much she was willing to forgo to make sure Nathaniel was taken care of in every way. And Will’s reluctance to get close to someone again for fear of losing them was completely understandable to me. He was such a caring, giving guy, though, that it was inevitable that he would fall for Christina and her son. I have to say that the special project Will worked on with Nathaniel to give to Christina for Christmas just brought me to tears it was so thoughtful. *happy sigh*

Filled with second chances at love and the spirit of the season, I think romance fans will thoroughly enjoy Will and Christina’s emotional journey.

Book Info:

 Published November 3rd 2014 by Carina Press

Christina Forrester is starting over. After a financial scandal sent her ex-husband to prison, she’s left raising her young son without any of the comforts of their old life. Budgets, coupons, lawn care—you name it, she’s learning to do it all on her own. Well, almost on her own—she’d be lost without Gail Broughton, the kind widow across the street. But when Gail’s son comes home, Christina’s vow to never trust a man again is put to the test.

Will Broughton left town because he was tired of being “that poor man” who lost his wife and unborn child in a tragic accident. But years have passed and, with his dad gone and his mom alone, it’s time to go home. Only his mother’s not alone. She’s taken Christina under her wing, and the beautiful and determined single mother awakens something in Will he thought was buried forever.

As Will and Christina are forced to spend more time together, feelings that are more than neighborly grow between them. And with Christmas coming and a child filling both houses with holiday cheer, it becomes nearly impossible not to embrace the joy—and the love—in their lives.