REVIEW: One Christmas Wish by Brenda Jackson

One Christmas Wish by Brenda Jackson: As an adult, we only get one Christmas wish according to Sierra Crane’s newly adopted (god)daughter. After fleeing from a cheating ex husband and restarting her life back in Catalina Cove, she has a one track mind to take care of Teryn and be independent. Until Vaughn comes along and starts to add cracks in the strong wall she put up.

From the moment Vaughn notices Sierra, sparks fly and I loved the way he pursued her. He wasn’t trying to be creepy like most men do, but instead worked at her pace to woo her. He chose to interact with her at her restaurant and to start slow with eating a bowl of soup. Soon enough, both of them look forward to each bowl of soup shared and the love begins to grow. With the addition of Christmas magic and a cheating ex husband that won’t give up, the story has all the pieces of a phenomenal romance novel.

Sierra and Vaughn both learned a lot about trust in the book. Sierra had been burned so badly by her ex husband that she was wary to ever let someone in again, especially since she now had the responsibility of Teryn. Vaughn helped her reopen her heart and understand how to know someone is actually there to lift you up instead of tear you down.

Vaughn had a lot to recover from since he had recently been exonerated for a crime he didn’t commit. He had to learn who to trust again since he had been abandoned by everyone he trusted when he was arrested. Meeting Sierra meant a lot to him since he wanted to know more about her but she was just as closed off as he was and seeing him work his magic with both her and Teryn was an unexpected treat.

As a person who didn’t read any of the other books in the series, it can definitely be read as a stand-alone. I honestly couldn’t tell which characters the previous books revolves around (which is shocking since most times it’s blatantly obvious). The whimsy and wonder of Christmas only add to the endearing qualities of all the characters and it is definitely a book to enjoy around the holidays. Especially in cold areas because the steaminess floats right off the pages at points!

Book Info:

Publication: October 26, 2021 | HQN | Catalina Cove #5

It’s Christmas in Catalina Cove, a time of promise and second chances. But when you’re starting over, love is the last thing you’re wishing for…

Vaughn Miller’s Wall Street career was abruptly ended by a wrongful conviction and two years in prison. Since then, he’s returned to his hometown, kept his head down and forged a way forward. When he is exonerated and his name cleared, he feels he can hold his head up once again, maybe even talk to the beautiful café owner who sets his blood to simmering.

Sierra Crane escaped a disastrous marriage—barely. She and her six-year-old goddaughter have returned to the only place that feels like home. Determined to make it on her own, Sierra opens a soup café. Complication is the last thing she needs, but the moment Vaughn walks into her café, she can’t keep her eyes off the smoldering loner.

When they give in to their attraction, what Sierra thought would be a onetime thing becomes so much more. Vaughn knows she’s the one. Sierra can’t deny the way Vaughn makes her feel, but she’s been burned before. With Christmas approaching, Vaughn takes a chance to prove his love, and it will be up to Sierra to decide if her one Christmas wish—true happiness—will come true.