REVIEW: It Started at Christmas… by Jo McNally

It Started at Christmas… by Jo McNally is the second book in the author’s Gallant Lake series. We met the two main characters in this story in the first book in the series, A Man You Can Trust. Blake and Amanda were already happily married in that book. This book is the story of how they met and fell in love.

She might have been a bit dishonest in how she went about trying to get the design job on the castle on Gallant Lake but the design drawings presented were definitely Amanda Lowery’s original designs. She was very nervous about the meeting with the owner of the castle, real estate mogul Blake Randall. Blake was late for the meeting to discuss if Amanda would be hired to oversee the renovations so when Amanda found an open door she walked into the castle just to take a “little peek.” When Blake walked in and discovered her in his house he was sure she was a trespasser. He was shocked to learn that Amanda was no trespasser but was actually the designer he agreed to meet. Blake really liked Amanda’s designs and also felt attracted to her so he forgave her for her misdirection. He hired her and even offered her a suite in the house while renovations were ongoing. Amanda suffers a panic attack while meeting with Blake as something happens which evokes her memories of a scary attack earlier in the year. Amazingly Amanda feels safe around Blake. And, yes, she was attracted to him too.

Jo McNally has a real winner here! She evokes passion, love and a sense of the importance of family in this story. I just loved the entire storyline. It showcased two people who were meant to be together yet still highlighted their major issues. Blake has family issues he has to deal with. Jo McNally did an excellent job of describing the devastating occurrences in Amanda’s youth. She is such a strong woman to be able to function fairly normally after such devastation. I loved how Blake was patient, loving and caring while helping Amanda overcome her issues. This is a heartwarming story of love and true grit.
 

Book Info:

Publication: November 19th 2019 | Harlequin Special Edition | Gallant Lake Stories

She was hired to design his house.

Instead she created a home.

Interior designer Amanda Lowery can turn Blake Randall’s crumbling castle into a Gallant Lake showplace. But helping the real estate mogul with his guarded heart and his troubled, orphaned nephew? A much bigger challenge. With demons in her own past, Amanda yearns to help them both heal. But will she find the family and safety she’s craved…or become a Christmas casualty in Blake’s latest business plan?