REVIEW: The Christmas Village by Annie Rains

The Christmas Village by Annie Rains is the second book in her Somerset Lake series. This is a lovely second chance romance and the Christmas activities in Somerset Lake add a lot to the storyline.

Lucy Hannigan is a midwife who practices in her hometown of Somerset Lake, NC. She is still mourning the loss of her mother nearly a year ago. Lucy had moved back home into the big pink house she grew up in to nurse her mother during her illness. She loves the pink house she inherited but the maintenance costs are overwhelming, especially since her mom left her with many unpaid bills for contract work done on the property. Lucy needs to rent out the apartment over the garage to supplement her income.

Unfortunately the only one interested is her ex-fiance Sheriff’s Deputy Miles Bruno. Lucy really doesn’t want to rent to him but he really needs a place to live since the house he is renting is no longer available. When Miles ended their engagement many years ago he broke Lucy’s heart. Having him living in such close proximity is going to be hard because she never stopped loving him.

Miles Bruno knows he made a big mistake when he ended his engagement to Lucy Hannigan. His insecurities got the best of him back then. He’s worked hard to overcome the abandonment he felt when his father up and left the family and the poverty that followed. He’s in a good place now. He feels he’d be in a better place if he could make Lucy believe he is sorry and convince her he realizes he made a big mistake. Renting the apartment above her garage could be his best chance to win her back.

I really like all the characters in this story. I felt bad for Miles when Lucy kept having second thoughts. The side story of the Christmas Crankster was entertaining. Lucy and Miles get their Happily Ever After in the end and that’s what counts. Right?

Book Info:

Publication: October 12th 2021 | Forever | Somerset Lake #2

USA Today bestselling author Annie Rains delivers a tender trade paperback romance that will appeal to readers with its warmth and bestselling themes!

Lucy Hannigan has inherited her mother’s bulldog, Bella, and her childhood home, the only pink house on Gingerbread Lane. With the holidays coming up, the pressure is on to decorate the house for the annual lights competition and maintain her parent’s winning streak. But Lucy already has her hands full as a midwife and a new landlord-to her ex-fiance.

When Miles Bruno is suddenly asked to move out of his rental home, he’s grateful to Lucy for taking him on as a tenant. But their broken-off engagement doesn’t make it easy to live next door. Sparks still fly between them, and he’d give anything to get back in Lucy’s good graces. But to do that will take much more than just tree trimming and house decorating and contest winning. Will one wildly grand romantic gesture on Christmas Eve finally soften her heart?